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UBMRY 
OF  THE 

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• V*' 


MORGAN  HORSES 


I*  |rtmium  €ssa| 

O N 


THE  ORIGIN,  HISTORY,  AND  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THIS  REMARKABLE 

AMERICAN  BREED  OF  HORSES; 

TRACING  THE  PEDlteltEB 

FROM  THE  ORIGINAL  JUSTIN  MORGAN,  THROUGH  THE  'mOST  NOTED  OF  HIS 
PROGENY,  DOWN  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 

WITH  NUMEROUS  PORTRAITS. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

HINTS  FOE  BREEDING,  BREAKING,  AND  GENERAL  USE  AND 
MANAGEMENT  OF  HORSES, 

WITH 

PRACTICAL  DIRECTIONS  EOR  TRAINING  THEM  POR  EXHIBITION  AT 
AGRICULTURAL  PAIRS. 

BY 

D.  0.  tiNSLEY, 

MIDDLEBURY,  VT. 


NEW  YORK: 

O.  M.  SAXTON  AND  COMPANY, 
AGRICULTURAL  BOOK  PUBLISHERS, 

No.  140  Fulton  Street. 


1857. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856,  by 
C.  M.  SAXTON  AND  COMPANY, 

In  the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


E.  0.  JENKINS, 

No.  26  Frankfoet  Street. 


PREFACE 


Morgan  Horses  as  a distinct  and  remarkable  breed, 
originating  in  Vermont,  and  principally  bred  there, 
have  long  been  well  known  to  the  horsemen  of  New 
England,  and  within  a few  years,  to  the  people  of  the 
West  and  South,  who,  having  become  acquainted  with 
them,  have  manifested  a strong  desire  to  introduce 
them  into  their  sections  of  the  country. 

The  author  of  the  following  work  was  acquainted 
with  these  horses  in  Vermont,  and  familiar  with  their 
peculii;r  form  and  action.  But  it  was  not  until  he  en- 
gaged in  the  prosecution  of  a great  public  work,  at  the 
West  in  1852,  that  he  became  fully  aware  of  their  ex- 
traordinary hardiness,  speed  and  endurance,  from 
severe  use  and  daily  comparison  of  them  with  horses 
of  different  style. 

Having  determined  to  breed  from  this  stock,  it  in- 
duced a careful  examination  into  the  different  families 
which  have  sprung  from  the  original  or  Justin  Morgan, 


Iv 


PREFACE, 


In  the  course  of  these  inquiries  a mass  of  information 
was  accumulated,  with  much  labor  and  considerable 
expense,  which  was  deemed  too  valuable  to  be  lost. 

After  determining  to  preserve  it  by  publication  in 
some  form,  every  effort  was  made  to  obtain  the  most 
reliable  information  upon  all  disputed  points ; in  re- 
gard to  the  origin  of  the  breed,  the  history  of  the 
most  distinguished  families,  and  their  present  condi- 
tion. 

To  make  the  work  useful  to  breeders  who  are  un- 
acquainted with  them,  the  peculiarities  of  the  different 
families  have  been  carefully  pointed  out,  and  full 
and  minute  descriptions  given  of  most  of  the  sons 
and  grandsons  of  the  original  horse,  with  their  pedi- 
gree, so  far  as  it  could  be  ascertained,  and  also  the 
pedigree  and  description  of  many  other  stallions  of 
the  breed,  more  remotely  descended  from  the  Justin 
Morgan. 

A large  number  of  cuts  have  been  used,  most  of 
which  have  been  traced  from  daguerreotypes,  and  can 
therefore  be  relied  upon  a*s  correct  portraits  of  the 
forms  of  the  animals  they  are  intended  to  represent. 
In  examination  of  these  cuts  will  enable  a good 


PREFACE. 


V 


horseman  to  become  familiar  with  the  peculiar  form 
which  is  so  distinguishing  a feature  of  these  horses, 
and  leave  him  in  little  doubt  as  to  the  cause  of  their 
remarkable  qualities. 

If  size  is,  as  is  claimed  by  some,  the  measure  of 
power,  it  will  be  found  that  form  is  the  measure  of 
action.  Too  much  size  is,  indeed,  incompatible  with 
rapid  and  long-continued  action. 

The  most  casual  observer  of  a good  Morgan  horse, 
is  conscious  that  he  sees  a peculiar  animal.  His  short, 
light,  rapid  step,  point  to  the  great  muscles  which 
give  him  motion.  His  prominent,  clear,  eager  eyes, 
set  wide  apart,  testify  to  his  courage  and  docility — 
'while  his  clean,  light  head,  carried  high,  with  short, 
pointed,  sensitive  ears,  gives  grace  and  elegance  to 
every  motion. 

A slight  description  has  been  given  of  some  of  the 
most  prominent  breeds  of  horses,  that  they  may  readily 
be  compared  with  the  Morgan. 

The  style,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  found  plain  and  clear. 

To  the  many  gentlemen  who  have  aided  us  in  col- 
lecting the  materials  for  our  work,  we  return  our  sin- 
cere thanks.  Their  hearty  encouragement  has  cheered 


VI 


PREFACE. 


US  in  the  prosecution  of  our  work,  and  mucli  of  any 
interest  that  may  attach  to  it,  is  due  to  their  assistance. 
Should  occasion  offer,  we  trust  they  will  afford  us  an 
opportunity  to  reciprocate  their  favors. 

If  the  publication  of  this  volume  should  prove  in- 
strumental in  awakening  increased  interest  in  the 
breeding  of  these  noble  animals,  and  in  Icciding  farm- 
ers and  breeders  to  the  best  sources  for  obtaining 
this  stock,  or  in  enabling  them  to  detect  the  many  spu- 
rious animals  advertised  throughout  the  country  as 
genuine  Morgans,  the  author  will  feel  satisfied  that  he 
has  not  labored  in  vain. 

D.  0.  LINSLEY. 

Middlebuby,  Yt.,  September  10, 1856. 


CONTENTS. 


Preface,  3 

Contents,  - --  --  - 7 

CHAPTER  I. 

The  Most  Esteemed  Races  of  Horses,  and  the  Kinds  of  Service 
to  which  they  are  Adapted, - 9 

CHAPTER  II. 

Contrast  Between  the  Kinds  of  Service  Required  of  Hoises  For- 
merly, and  at  the  Present  Day,  - - - - - - 29 

CHAPTER  III. 

Description  of  the  Kind  of  Horses  most  sought  for  in  the  Prin- 
cipal Markets  of  the  Country, 44 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Peculiar  Adaptation  of  the  Morgan  Horse  to  the  Road  and  General 
Use, - 63 

CHAPTER  V. 

Origin  of  the  Morgan  Horse, '-92 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Memoir  and  Description  of  the  Justin  Morgan,  - * - - - 131 

CHAPTER  VII. 

History  and  Description  of  the  Stallions  Sired  by  the  Justin 

Morgan, - . 144 

(Tf 


CONTEN’TS. 


viii 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

General  Description  of  the  different  Families  and  their  Distin- 
guishing Characteristics, 165 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Present  Condition  of  this  Stock  in  Vermont,  - . - . 175 

CHAPTER  X. 

Performances  of  Morgan  Horses;  the  Demand  for  them,  and 
their  Present  Value  as  indicated  by  Sales,  - . . . 185 

* CHAPTER  XI. 

Hints  as  to  the  Best  Methods  for  Improving  and  Perpetuating  the 
Breed, 200 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Hints  in  Relation  to  Breaking  and  Driving.  - 219 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  Proper  Manner  of  Feeding  and  Driving  upon  the  Road,  - 238 
CHAPTER  XIV. 

Hints  to  Purchasers  of  Morgan  or  other  Horses,  - - - 250 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Pedigrees  and  Description  of  Stallions, 260 

Appendix, 323 


[EXTEA  CT.] 

TO  THE  VERMONT  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 


The  Committee  of  Awards,  to  whom  was  referred  the  subject  of 
Essays,  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  attended  carefully  to  the 
duties  of  their  appointment,  and  no  award  the  First  Premium  to 
Mr.  D.  C-  Linsley,  of  Middlebury,  for  his  elaborate  Essay  on  the 
Morgan  Horse. 

In  consequence  of  the  peculiar  merits  of  this  treatise,  the 
Committee  feel  authorized  to  commend  it  to  the  particular  notice 
of  the  Society,  as  one  eminently  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  peo- 
pie  of  this  State,  and  as  supplying  a desideratum  long  felt,  both  in 
regard  to  the  true  history  of  the  Morgan  Horse,  and  in  respect  to 
the  best  methods  of  its  perpetuation.  We  believe  Mr.  Linsley  has 
collected  all  the  facts  pertaining  to  his  subject  which  intelligent  re- 
search and  thorough  devotion  can  furnish ; and  that  he  has  em- 
bodied them  in  an  attractive  form  and  with  a just  discrimination. 
The  information  relating  to  the  history  of  the  Breed  is  important, 
and,  we  think,  can  be  found  in  no  work  yet  published  ; the  style  in 
which  it  is  communicated  is  clear,  spirited,  and  in  perfect  keeping 
with  the  subject  discussed. 

When  it  is  considered  that  the  sources  of  information  in  regard 
to  the  origin  and  history  of  the  Morgan  Horse,  now  obscure  at  the 
best,  are  rapidly  diminishing,  and  that  Mr.  Linsley  has  rescued  so 
much,  which  in  a short  time  would  have  been  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  compiler,  it  must  be  admitted  he  has  rendered  a valuable  service 
to  the  farmers  of  the  State,  and  one  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the 
Committee,  the  Society  ought  not  to  leave  unrecognized.  * * * 

January  15,  1856. 


J.  a.  BECKWITH, 
EDWAED  SEYMOUE, 
E.  B.  CHASE, 

E.  E.  WOOHBEIDGE, 
JOHN  GEEGOEY. 


Committee. 


[i] 


St.  Johnsbury,  Y^.^July  7, 1856. 


D.  C.  Linsley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — Your  favor  of  the  3d  inst.  is  at  hand,  as  also  the 
accompanying  drawing  of  the  old  Justin  Morgan.  I knew  the 
horse  well,  and  owned  him  about  seven  years  while  in  the  prime  of 
his  life.  The  drawing  is  a very  faithful  representation  of  him  as 
he  appeared  while  I owned  him,  and  I can  suggest  scarcely  any 
alteration ; perhaps  none  that  would  make  it  a more  faithful  copy 
of  the  original. 

Yours  respectfully, 

DAYID  GOSS. 

Derby  Line,  Yt.,  July  21,  1856. 

D.  0.  Linsley,  Esq.  : — Your  favor  of  the  18th  inst.,  containing  a 
drawing  of  the  old  Justin  Morgan,  has  this  day  come  to  hand, 
and  I hasten  to  reply.  In  early  life  it  was  my  privilege  to  know 
the  original  Morgan  Horse  perfectly  well,  and  for  some  time  to  see 
him  almost  daily  at  the  time  of  his  greatest  popularity,  and  I have 
no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  the  drawing  exhibited,  in  my  judgment, 
is  remarkably  correct,  and  gives  a very  accurate  delineation  of  the 
horse  as  he  appeared  in  life. 

T remain.  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly  and 

Yery  respectfully, 

SOLO.  STEELE, 

. Claremont,  N.  H.,  July,  1856. 

D.  C.  Linsley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — I received  a line  from  you  yesterday,  and  with  it  a 
drawing  of  the  old  Justin  Morgan  or  Goss  horse.  As  I have  be- 
fore told  you,  I know  the  horse  well,  having  seen  him  often,  and 
kept  him  one  year  while  Joel  Goss  owned  him.  He  was  far  the 
best  horse  I ever  had  anything  to  do  with,  and  my  recollection  of 
him  is  perfectly  clear  and  distinct. 

The  drawing  you  send  is  a very  excellent  likeness  of  him,  and  I 
am  pleased  to  see  an  effort  making,  even  at  this  late  day,  to  preserve 
some  record  of  him. 

Yours  Eespectfully, 

DAN.  BALDWIN. 


CHAPTEE  I. 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  RACES  OF  HORSES,  AND  THE  KINDS  OP 
SERVICE  TO  WHICH  THEY  ARE  ADAPTED. 

The  history  of  the  horse,  intimately  interwoven  as 
it  is  with  that  of  man,  can  hardly  fail  to  interest  the 
most  careless  student.  From  the  earliest  ages  he  has 
been  man’s  faithful  ally  and  willing  slave.  In  war,  he 
not  only  moves  all  the  machinery  of  the  field  and 
camp,  but  shares  with  his  rider  all  the  fatigue  and 
danger  of  battle.  In  peace,  how  various  and  invalu- 
able are  his  services.  Every  branch  of  industry  owes 
much  to  his  patient  toil ; he  ploughs  the  soil,  sows  the 
seed,  reaps  the  harvest,  and  transports  it  to  the  distant 
market.  From  year  to  year,  and  age  to  age,  he  has 
toiled  unceasingly  for  his  master,  in  the  cart,  the 
mill,  the  freight-wagon,  or  the  mail-coach.  For  many 
centuries  prior  to  the  construction  of  canals,  almost  the 
entire  inland  commerce  of  the  world  was  carried  on 
by  means  of  the  horse. 

Not  only  has  he  thus  relieved  our  wants  and  minis- 
tered to  our  comfort,  but  he  shares  with  us  in  our 
pleasures  and  amusements ; he  not  only  works  steadily 
and  patiently  in  the  loaded  wagon,  but  in  the  race 
becomes  as  much  excited  as  his  master,  and  appears  to 
rejoice  in  the  pleasures  of  the  chase.  In  gracefulness 
of  motion,  elegance  of  form,  and  dignity  of  carriage, 
he  is  superior  to  every  other  quadruped ; and  by  those 
1*  (9) 


10 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


nations  to  whom  lie  is  known  he  is  almost  universally 
considered  the  most  useful  and  manageable  of  all 
our  domestic  animals  Hence  he  has  been  admired, 
cherished  and  loved,  equally  by  the  most  enlightened 
and  most  barbarous  races  of  men.  More  time,  money 
and  intellect  have  been  used  in  the  attempt  to  improve 
and  perpetuate  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  the 
best  breeds,  than  has  been  expended  upon  any^  perhaps 
it  may  be  safely  said  all^  other  animals.  His  servant  in  the 
fifeld,  his  companion  in  the  chase,  and  his  willing  slave 
in  trials  of  speed,  he  becomes  the  pride,  the  joy  and 
boast  of  his  master.  Boundless  wealth  is  often  scattered 
for  pleasures  and  amusements,  in  which  the  flying  foot 
of  the  horse  is  the  chief  attraction.  Attached  to  his 
master  and  obedient  to  his  will,  he  bears  him  without 
question  or  murmur,  through  sunshine  and  storm,  over 
m^ountains  and  through  rivers;  carries  him  with, un- 
faltering nerves  into  the  thickest  of  the  battle,  and  if 
repulsed,  his  speed  and  endurance  bid  defiance  to  pur- 
suit. 

Hence  no  animal  has  received  the  same  care  and 
attention  in  breeding  and  training  as  the  horse. 

Though  the  horse  was  domesticated  in  the  time  of 
Moses,  and  is  frequently  mentioned  in  history,  yet  we 
know  little  of  his  condition,  or  the  manner  in  which 
he  was  trained,  until  about  four  hundred  years  before 
Christ.  Xenophon  was  the  first  writer  who  left  us  any 
record  of  what  were  then  considered  the  best  points  of 
a good  horse ; or  described,  critically  and  in  detail,  the 
proper  method  of  breaking  and  training  him.  Consid- 
ering that  nearly  twenty-three  hundred  years  have 
elapsed  since  this  essay  was  written,  it  must  certainly 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


11 


be  deemed  surprising  that  it  should  still  be  admitted 
as  a standard  authority  upon  the  subjects  of  which  it 
treats. 

Among  the  ancients  the  horse  was  little  used,  except 
in  war  and  the  chase.  For  these  uses  the  wild  horses 
of  the  East  are  perhaps  as  well  adapted  as  any  other 
breed  now  in  existence.  The  wild  home  being  so  well 
suited  to  the  wants  of  the  ancients,  no  attempt  would 
be  made  to  improve  him  or  alter  his  general  conforma- 
tion by  careful  breeding.  Had  other  wants  been  felt, 
and  efforts  made  to  alter  his  general  form,  it  could 
hardly  have  been  productive  of  any  improvement  or 
important  change;  for,  to  be  successful,  the  breeding 
must  not  only  be  continued  for  several  generations, 
but  must  be  undertaken  by  a people  fixed  in  their 
habits,  devoted  to  agriculture,  and  perfectly  conversant 
with  the  gieat  physical  laws  that  must  be  carefully  ob- 
served in  crossing  different  races  of  animals,  in  order 
to  insure  success.  The  ancients  had  not  these  advan- 
tages, and  we  think  it  may  safely  be  inferred,  that  up 
to  the  commencement  of  the  Christian  era,  the  main 
characteristics  of  the  horse  had  undergone  little  change, 
except  such  as  had  been  produced  by  the  climates  in 
which  he  lived,  the  nature  of  the  soil,  and  the  pastures 
upon  which  he  fed. 

In  the  central  and  northern  parts  of  Asia,  and  the 
northern  part  of  Europe,  where  the  climate  is  cold  and 
the  vegetation  scanty,  the  wild  horses  were  then,  and 
are  still,  small,  but  active  and  hardy,  with  bodies 
closely  knit,  and  hair  thick  and  long.  They  are  capa- 
ble of  performing  the  longest  marches  wuthout  exhibit- 
ing fatigue,  are  fleet,  sure-footed,  and  well  adapted 


12 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


for  service  in  the  cold  and  mountainous  countries  in 
which  they  are  found. 

The  earliest  records  we  have  of  the  horse,  trace  him 
to  Egypt,  whence  he  gradually  found  his  way  to 
the  various  Egyptian  colonies.  Among  the  African 
varieties,  the  Barb  is  remarkable  for  his  fine  and  graceful 
action ; and  is  found  chiefly  in  Morocco  and  Fez.  He 
is  lower  than  the  Arabian,  seldom  exceeding  fourteen 
hands.  The  shoulders  are  flat,  the  chest  deep,  the 
joints  inclined  to  be  a little  long,  and  the  head  very 
fine.  He  is  superior  to  the  Arab  in  form,  but  has  not 
his  speed  and  endurance,  nor  his  spirit  and  ‘^counte- 
nance.” The  Barb  has  chiefly  contributed  to  the  excel- 
lence of  the  Spanish  horse.  The  Godolphin  Arabian  was 
a Barb,  and  from  him  has  descended  some  of  the  best 
racing  stock  of  England. 

The  Arabian  horse  deservedly  occupies  the  very 
highest  rank.  So  late  as  the  seventh  century,  the 
Arabs  had  very  few  horses,  and  those  of  a very  in- 
ferior quality.  The  horses  that  they  obtained  from 
Cappadocia  and  other  neighboring  countries  were 
preserved  with  so  much  care,  and  so  uniformly  pro- 
pagated from  the  finest  animals,  that  in  the  thirteenth 
century  they  had  obtained  great  celebrity.  The 
Arabs  divide  their  horses  into  three  classes:  the 
Attechi^  or  inferior  breed,  which  are  little  valued,  and 
are  found  wild  in  some  parts  of  the  desert ; the  Kadis- 
chi,  or  mixed  breed ; and  the  KocTilctni,  or  thorough- 
bred. Many  of  the  latter  have  well-attested  pedigrees 
extending  more  than  four  hundred  years,  and  the 
Arab  confidently  asserts  that  the  pedigree  of  his 
favorite  mare  can  be  traced  directly  to  the  stud 


THE  MOST  F.Sl'EEMEH  BEEEDS. 


13 


of  Solomon.  More  care  is  taken  to  preserve  the 
pedigree  of  their  horses,  than  the  genealogies  of  their 
chiefs : these  pedigrees  are  always  reckoned  from  the 
dams.  The  Arabian  horse  might  not  always  be 
acknowledged  to  possess  a perfect  form,  but  no  one 
can  fail  to  admire  his  inimitable  head.  The  broad, 
square  forehead,  the  short,  lean,  firm,  and  delicate 
muzzle,  the  bright,  prominent,  and  intelligent  eye,  the 
small,  sprightly,  and  almost  transparent  ears,  are  uni- 
versally acknowledged  to  be  unrivalled  in  any  other 
breed.  The  fineness  of  his  legs,  and  the  oblique  posi- 
tion of  his  pasterns,  may  be  supposed  to  lessen  his 
strength ; but  the  legs,  although  small,  are  flat  and 
wiry,  and  they  are  not  required  to  carry  heavy 
weights.  The  muscles  of  the  thigh  and  fore-arm  are 
strikingly  developed,  and  assure  us  of  his  ability  to 
perform  many  of  the  feats  of  strength  and  endurance 
related  of  him ; but  in  reading  of  his  really  marvellous 
marches,  we  must  remember  that  there  are  no  watches 
to  note  accurately  the  time,  nor  xixile- stones  to  mark 
correctly  the  distances  on  the  paths  of  the  desert,  and 
we  must  make  some  allowance  for  the  proneness  of  the 
Bedouin  to  exaggeration.  The  Arabian  horse  is  as 
celebrated  for  his  docility  as  for  his  speed  and  courage. 
He  rarely  exceeds  fourteen  hands  in  height,  his  body 
is  light,  his  hips  and  loins  excellent,  and  his  shoulders 
extremely  beautiful.  It  is  to  the  Arabian  that  the 
English  are  chiefly  indebted  for  their  unrivalled  breed 
of  horses  for  the  turf  and  the  chase. 

The  Dongola  horses,  bred  in  the  kingdom  of  Dongola, 
and  the  country  lying  between  Egypt  and  Abyssinia, 
are  somewhat  celebrated  for  their  showy  appearance 


14 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


They  are  full  sixteen  hands  high,  with  very  short 
bodies,  long  necks,  fine  crests,  and  sharp,  -high  withers ; 
but  the  breast  is  too  narrow,  the  quarters  and  flanks 
flat  and  thin,  with  carped  or  roached  backs.  Some 
of  these  horses  were  imported  into  England  about 
1825,  but  were  little  valued. 

There  are  several  breeds  of  horses  in  India,  of  which 
the  Toorky  is  the  best,  and  is  descended  from  the  Per- 
sian. 

The  Chinese  horse  is  very  inferior,  and  unworthy  of 
notice. 

The  Persian  horse  deservedly  ranks  next  to  the 
Arabian ; his  head  is  almost  equally  fine,  his  hip  and 
croup  better;  he  is  more  stoutly  built,  is  equal  in 
speed,  but  less  enduring.  Their  food  consists  of  bar- 
ley and  chopped  straw,  hay  being  unknown.  The 
Persian  horses  were  very  celebrated  long  before  the 
Arabian  was  known.  They  rarely  exceed  fourteen 
and  a half  hands  high,  are  full  of  courage,  and  very 
tractable  and  docile. 

Turkistan  has  long  been  celebrated  for  producing  a 
pure  and  valuable  breed  of  horses,  called  Toorhomans, 
They  are  large,  standing  from  fifteen  to  sixteen  hands 
high ; are  swift  and  remarkably  enduring.  They  are 
said  to  be  preferable  even  to  the  pure  Persian  for 
severe  service.  They  are  too  small  in  the  barrel,  too 
long  in  the  legs,  and  their  heads  are  large  and  clumsy ; 
yet  they  are  highly  esteemed. 

The  Flemish  and  Dutch  horses  are  very  large, 
strongly  and  symmetically  formed,  with  fine  crests  and 
plenty  of  bone  and  muscle,  but  are  a little  dull  in  their 
paces,  and  mostly  used  for  purposes  of  draft.  It  is 


TPIE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


15 


principally  from  these  that  the  celebrated  draft  horses 
of  England  are  descended. 

France  contains  several  breeds  of  horses,  some  of 
which,  particularly  the  Norman,  are  very  valuable. 
The  government  have  for  some  years  paid  a good  deal 
of  attention  to  the  improvement  of  horses,  but  they 
are  still  inferior  to  the  English  in  beauty  and  speed. 
The  best  French  horses  are  raised  in  Limousin  and 
Normandy.  Those  from  the  latter  province  are  of 
large  size,  with  plenty  of  bone  and  muscle,  large  limbs, 
heavy  quarters,  sloping  croup,  deep  chest  and  deep 
body,  but  a little  flat-ribbed.  They  are  very  tractable’ 
and  possessed  of  very  great  endurance,  and  can  carry 
great  weight  at  the  rate  of  six  to  seven  miles  per  hour. 

Spain  has  long  been  celebrated  for  her  breed  of 
horses,  but  it  is  thought  that  they  are  less  valuable 
now  than  formerly,  having  suffered  under  the  general 
decline  of  the  Spanish  government.  The  Andalusian 
horse,  so  called  from  that  province  of  Spain  in  which 
he  was  chiefly  bred,  still  retains  a resemblance  to  the 
Barb,  to  which  he  was  undoubtedly  indebted  for  his 
most  valuable  qualities.  The  Barb  was  brought  into 
Spain  during  the  first  part  of  the  eighth  century. 
England  owes  much  of  the  present  excellence  of  her 
horse  to  this  breed.  About  the  year  1060,  William 
of  Normandy  brought  a large  number  of  horses  from 
Spain  for  cavalry  service,  and  probably  these  were 
mostly  from  the  provinces  of  Andalusia  and  Asturias, 
for,  owing  to  the  richness  of  the  pastures,  horses  were 
much  more  numerous  in  these  provinces  than  in  any 
other  parts  of  Spain. 

Italian  horses  were  formerly  thought  very  valuable. 


16 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


but  are  now  less  esteemed.  The  Neapolitan  horses  are 
tolerably  well  shaped,  and  from  their  size  and  high 
style  of  action  are  in  some  demand  for  carriage  horses. 

The  Turkish  horses  are  principally  descended  from 
the  Arab,  crossed  with  the  Persian,  the  Tartar,  and  some- 
other  breeds.  Compared  with  the  Arabian,  the  head  is 
larger,  the  limbs  heavier,  the  body  longer,  the  shoulder 
not  so  fine,  and  the  hips  higher.  They  are,  if  possible, 
more  gentle  and  tractable  than  the  Arabian.  The 
Turkish  horse  has  contributed  much  to  the  blood  of  the 
present  English  race-horse. 

The  German  horses  are  generally  large,  heavy,  and 
slow.  The  Hungarian  is,  however,  of  medium  size, 
and  possessed  of  a good  deal  of  speed  and  endurance. 

Many  excellent  cavalry  horses  are  bred  in  Holstein. 
They  are  generally  bay,  of  good  size,  with  small,  fine 
heads,  bold,  lively  eyes,  have  good  action,  and  are 
strong  and  active. 

The  Swedish  horses  are  between  thirteen  and  four- 
teen hands  high,  and  are  remarkable  for  their  speed 
and  endurance. 

The  horses  of  Finland  are  yet  smaller,  not  exceeding 
twelve  hands  in  height ; they  are  said  to  be  beautiful, 
and  very  fleet. 

In  Iceland,  though  the  country  is  mountainous,  and 
the  climate  cold  and  inhospitable,  there  are  yet  very  ^ 
numerous  troops  of  wild  horses.  They  are  very  small,  ^ 
strong,  and  swift.  ^ 

The  horses  of  that  part  of  Tartary  comprehending 
the  great  plains  of  Central  Asia,  and  a considerable  part 
of  European  Eussia,  are  almost  in  a wild  state  ; they 
are  small  and  badly  made,  but  are  very  hardy  and  en- 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


17 


during.  They  are  not  very  docile  or  tractable.  Tar 
tar  horses  form  a large  portion  of  the  Persian  cavalry, 
being  preferred  on  account  of  their  great  hardiness  and 
endurance. 

All  the  horses  we  have  enumerated,  with  the  ex- 
ception ^f  the  German,  Italian,  French  and  Flemish, 
are  peculiarly  adapted  to  use  under  the  saddle,  carry- 
ing light  weight ; and  with  few  exceptions  they  are 
seldom  put  to  any  other  service. 

The  Eussians  have  some  excellent  horses.  The 
most  celebrated  of  their  breeds  is  the  Orloff  Trotter, 
of  large  size  and  fine  action.  Great  pains  are  taken  in 
breaking  and  training  them,  to  prevent  their  moving 
in  any  other  gait  than  a walk  or  trot,  consequently 
some  of  them  are  fast  trotters. 

The  English  horse,  on  account  of  its  just  celebrity, 
and  as  the  source  from  which  the  best  of  our  own  have 
been  derived,  demands  a more  careful  notice. 

Horses  were  exceedingly  numerous  in  Britain  at 
the  time  of  its  conquest  by  Julius  Caesar,  and  they 
were  so  valuable,  that  Caesar  carried  many  of  them  to 
Home.  The  Eomans  having  established  themselves  in 
Britain,  kept  a large  force  of  cavalry  there,  and  these 
horses,  gathered  from  all  parts  of  the  Eoman  Empire, 
mixed  v/ith  the  native  breed.  Whether  this  cross  re- 
sulted in  any  improvement  cannot  now  be  ascertained. 

The  next  importation  of  which  we  have  any  account 
was  early  in  the  tenth  century.  Hugh  Capet,  of 
France,  made  Althelstane  a present  of  several  German 
running  hoTsesi‘'^  About  the  middle  of  the  eleventh 
century,  with  William  the  Conqueror  came  a marked 
improvement  in  the  English  horse.  His  followers. 


18 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


coming  from  a country  far  in  advance  of  England  in 
the  science  of  agriculture,  were  of  great  service  to  the 
English  in  improving  their  horses,  by  introducing  the 
Spanish  horse.  The  first  recorded  importation  of  an 
Arabian  horse  took  place  in  1121 — Alexander  I.,  of 
Scotland,  having  presented  the  church  of  St.  Andrew 
with  an  Arabian  horse,  decked  in  Turkish  armor,  and 
costly  trinkets.”  About  the  close  of  the  twelfth  or  be- 
ginning of  the  thirteenth  century.  King  John  imported 
one  hundred  stallions  from  Flanders,  and  thus  laid  the 
foundation  of  the  draft  horse,  which  has  since  become 
so  celebrated.  In  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury, Edward  II.  imported  thirty  war  horses,  and 
twelve  draft  horses.  Edward  III.  purchased  fifty 
Spanish,  horses,  which  cost  him  about  seven  hundred 
dollars  each. 

The  English  had  used  horses  from  Turkey  and  Bar- 
bary, to  improve  the  native  stock,  but  up  to  the  time 
of  James  I.  with  but  little  success. 

About  1610,  James  purchased  a celebrated  Arabian 
horse  of  a merchant  named  Markham,  for  which  he  paid 
five  hundred  pounds.  After  this,  James  purchased  of 
Mr.  Place,  a beautiful  horse  called  the  White  Turk. 

Not  long  after  this,  the  first  Duke  of  Buckingham  im- 
ported the  Helmsly  Turk.  These  two  animals  produced 
a great  change  in  the  character  of  the  English  horses. 

Charles  I.  eagerly  pursued  the  favorite  sport  of  the 
English  gentleman,  and  established  races  at  Hyde 
Park  and  Newmarket.  Cromwell  was  himself  anxious 
to  continue  the  improvement  of  the  horse,  and  kept  a 
stud  of  race-horses ; but  racing  was  not  countenanced 
by  his  party,  and  the  race  courses  were  closed. 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


19 


At  the  Eestoration  in  1660,  a new  impulse  was  given 
to  the  cultivation  of  the  horse.  Eace  courses  were 
opened,  and  royal  plates  were  now  given  at  the  prin- 
cipal ones.  Charles  sent  his  Master  of  the  Horse  to 
the  Levant,  to  purchase  both  mares  and  stallions. 
These  were  principally  Barbs  and  Turks.  His  nobles 
followed  his  example,  and  from  that  time  until  the 
eighteenth  century  almost  every  valuable  variety  of 
Eastern  blood  was  from  time  to  time  engrafted  on  the 
old  stock.  In  1703,  Mr.  Harley  imported  the  Arabian 
that  has  since  borne  his  name,  being  then  four  years 
old.  About  twenty-five  years  later,  a Mr.  Coke  brought 
the  Godolphin  Arabian  from  France  to  England,  and 
presented  him  to  Mr.  Williams,  Master  of  St.  James’ 
Coffee  House,  who  presented  him  to  the  Earl  of  Godol- 
phin. It  is  to  these  importations  chiefly  that  is  due 
the  high  degree  of  perfection  which  the  English  race- 
horse has  attained. 

The  English  Hunter  is  not  as  distinct  a breed  of 
horses  as  has  often  been  supposed.  Every  variety  of 
blood  has  been  resorted  to,  to  produce  the  horse  best 
suited  to  the  work  required  of  him,  and  he  is  novf 
usually  three-quarters  thorough-bred.  Mr.  Skinner 
says  the  Hunter  is  but  a combination  of  the  race-horse 
or  thorough-bred,  with  one  of  less  blood.  Formerly, 
hunters  were  bred  from  coach  mares,  or  ‘^Machiners” 
as  they  are  called ; but  now  the  hunter  is  lighter,  and 
more  nearly  thorough-bred.  Many  of  the  hunters  of 
fifty  years  ago  were  bred  by  crossing  the  Cleveland 
Bay  with  the  race-horse ; and  resembled  the  best  Hack- 
neys of  the  present  day. 

Of  the  Hackney,  a standard  English  work  says : The 


20 


THE  MOEGAK  HORSE. 


Hackney  should  be  a hunter  in  miniature,  with  these 
exceptions : his  height  should  rarely  exceed  fifteen 
hands  and  an  inch.  He  will  be  sufficiently  strong, 
^ and  more  pleasant  for  general  work,  below  that  stand- 
ard. He  should  be  of  more  compact  form  than  the 
Hunter — more  bulk  according  to  his  height,  for  he  has 
not  merely  to  stand  an  occasional  though  severe  burst, 
but  a great  deal  of  every-day  work.” 

The  English  coach  horse  was  formerly  bred  from 
the  Suffolk,  and  the  Cleveland  Bays  (breeds  now 
nearly  extinct)  by  crossing  the  mares  with  horses  pos- 
sessing more  or  less  racing  blood,  and  was,  in  fact,  but 
a large,  heavy  Hunter  or  Hackney. 

The  Cleveland  Bays,  the  Clydesdale,  the  Northamp- 
tonshire, the  Suffolk  Punch,  and  the  heavy  Black,  or 
Lincolnshire  horse,  are  but  different  varieties  of  the 
English  draft  horse,  and  are  but  little  used  for  any 
other  purpose. 

The  coach  horse,  and  the  draft  horse,  have  diminished 
very  rapidly  of  late  years,  having  given  way  to  a lighter, 
and  faster  animal. 

The  foregoing  glance  at  the  most  important  races  of 
horses  will,  it  is  hoped,  enable  the  reader  to  form  a 
tolerably  correct  idea  of  the  main  sources  from  which 
our  horses  are  derived. 

The  wild  horse  is  found  in  great  numbers  in  Tartary, 
in  some  parts  of  South  America,  and  a few  in  the 
south-western  territories  of  the  United  States.  In  none 
of  these  can  we  recognize  an  original  race.  The  horses 
of  the  Ukraine,  and  those  of  South  America,  are 
equally  the  descendants  of  those  which  have  escaped  the 
slavery  of  man.  The  former  are  thought  to  be  de- 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


21 


Bcended  from  horses  that  were  employed  in  the  siege 
of  Azoff,  in  1657 ; but  were  turned  loose  for  want  of 
forage.  The  latter  are  descended  from  animals  im- 
orted  by  the  Spaniards,  and  they  still  retain,  almost  ^ 
unimpaired,  the  size  and  form  of  the  stock  from  which 
they  sprung.  They  are  not  remarkable  for  their  speed 
at  short  distances,  but  possess  great  endurance ; and 
many  instances  are  recorded  of  the  natives  pushing 
them  over  one  hundred  nailes  without  drawing  rein. 

In  our  own  country  we  have  several  breeds  of  horses. 

The  Conestoga  horse  is  found  chiefly  in  the  Middle 
States,  but  is  not  as  often  met  with  now,  as  formerly. 
He  is  descended  from  early  importations  from  Flanders 
and  Denmark ; he  is  inclined  to  be  too  long  in  the  leg, 
too  light  in  the  barrel,  and  too  dull  in  his  paces.  His 
quarters  and  shoulders  are  generally  good ; and  when 
his  body  is  found  suflSciently  deep  he  makes  an  excel- 
lent draft  horse;  he  is  often  over  seventeen  hands 
high. 

The  English  thorough-bred  is  found  in  perfection 
in  many  of  the  States,  but  is  bred  chiefly  at  the  South. 
In  most  of  the  States,  the  great  majority  of  the  horses 
in  ordinary  use  possess  traces  of  racing  blood. 

The  Canadian  horse  is  found  chiefly  in  Canada,  and 
is  undoubtedly  of  Horman-French  descent,  and  to  this 
day  they  preserve,  in  a high  degree,  the  distinguishing 
traits  of  the  stock  from  which  they  sprung.  There 
are  many  varieties,  some  having  been  crossed  with  the 
English  thorough-bred.  They  have  maintained  the 
good  qualities  of  their  ancestors,  but  have  less  size, 
probably  owing  in  a great  measure  to  the  rigor  of  the 
climate,  and  their  scanty  fare.  They  are  exceedingly 


22 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


hardy,  easily  kept,  are  long-lived,  and  perfectly  gentle 
and  docile.  Some  of  them  are  celebrated  for  speed  at 
short  distances,  but  as  a breed  they  are  not  good  road- 
.sters. 

The  Narragansett  pacer,  a breed  long  celebrated  in 
Ehode  Island,  is  said  to  have  descended  in  part  from  a 
horse  imported  by  Gov.  Robinson  from  Andalusia  in 
Spain.  They  were  noted  for  their  easy  pace  under 
the  saddle,  docility,  and  powers  of  endurance.  They 
were  small  and  not  well  adapted  for  draught. 

The  Norman  horse  has  not  yet  been  extensively 
bred  in  this  country,  but  a few  fine  animals  have  been 
imported.  They  are  large,  usually  full  sixteen  hands 
high,  compact  and  muscular ; and  though  not  adapted 
to  high  speed  with  light  weight — yet  it  is  believed  they 
are  unrivalled  in  their  powers  of  endurance,  carry- 
ing a great  weight  at  the  rate  of  six  or  seven  miles  per 
hour. 

In  addition  to  these  varieties,  there  are  in  various 
parts  of  the  country  families  claiming  more  or  less 
alliance  to  the  thorough-bred.  Of  these,  the  Messen- 
gers, the  Hamiltonians,  the  Henrys,  the  Bellfounders, 
are  perhaps  the  most  noted,  as  they  were  generally 
well-formed,  fine-moving,  fast-going,  and  enduring 
horses. 

Hamiltonian  or  Hamlintonian  was  got  by  Diomed, 
sire  of  the  celebrated  Sir  Archy.  Diomed  was  by 
Florizel,  he  by  King  Herod,  he  by  Tartar,  and  he  by 
Croft’s  Partner,  who  was  by  Jig,  a son  of  the  Byerly 
Turk ; dam  by  Spectator,  g.  dam  by  Blank,  gg.  dam 
by  Childers.  Dam  of  Hamiltonian  was  by  Shark,  g. 
dam  by  Apollo.  Hamiltonian  was  long  owned  by  Col. 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


23 


Tayloc,  of  Virginia,  and  run  by  him  with  much  success. 
He  was  bred  by  Mr.  Thomas  Ilamlin,  from  whom  he 
was  named ; but  of  late  the  stock  has  been  called 
Hamiltonian.  He  was  chestnut,  of  good  size,  and  was 
foaled  in  1800. 

He  had  an  excellent  figure  and  good  constitution, 
and  he  ran  several  successful  four-mile  races.  His 
stock  was  excellent,  but  has  been  frequently  confounded 
with  that  of  Hambletonian,  a son  of  imported  Messen- 
ger. 

Hambletonian,  by  Messenger,  was  a fine  horse,  and 
left  some  very  valuable  stock  that  has  been  a good 
deal  scattered  throughout  the  States  of  New  York  and 
western  part  of  Vermont;  and  we  think  much  of  the 
stock  in  these  States  called  Hamiltonian  or  Hamlin- 
tonian  should  be  Hambletonian.  We  have  not  at  hand 
the  necessary  data  to  give  his  pedigree  or  any  further 
description  of  him,  which  we  regret,  as  his  descendants 
have  been  deservedly  esteemed  for  their  speed  and 
power  of  endurance.  Many  of  them  are  large,  and 
make  excellent  carriage  horses. 

The  pedigree  and  some  description  of  several  other 
noted  horses  will  be  found  at  the  close  of  the  chapter 
on  Pedigrees. 

The  stock  descended  from  Messenger,  Hamiltonian, 
and  some  others,  proved  very  valuable ; many  of 
them  were  excellent  roadsters,  and  some  of  them  were 
fast  trotters.  Hence,  it  soon  became  policy  for  dealers 
to  advertise  their  horses  as  descended  from  those  whose 
stock  was  known  to  be  good ; and  at  the  stables  of 
those  dealers  whose  honesty  is  not  of  the  adamantine 
kind,  you  can  usually  purchase  a horse  of  any  of  the 


24 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


well-known  families  provided  you  give  a reasonable 
hint  of  the  stock  you  prefer.  Hundreds  of  horses  are 
sold  every  year  as  Morgans,  Messengers,  Hamiltonians, 
&c.,  who  have  not  a particle  of  the  blood  they  are  rep- 
resented to  possess. 

Messenger  was  a gray,  fifteen  and  three-quarters 
hands  high,  and  stoutly  built.  He  was  got  by  Mam- 
brino,  he  by  Engineer,  and  he  by  Sampson,  dam  by 
Turf,  his  grandam  by  Eegulus.  He  was  foaled  in 
1780,  and  bred  by  John  Pratt,  Esq.,  of  Newmarket, 
England.  He  ran  several  successful  races,  and  finally, 
in  1785,  won  the  king’s  plate.  He  was  imported  into 
New  York  by  Mr.  Benger.  The  first  two  seasons  after 
his  arrival,  he  was  kept  at  Shammany  Bridge,  near 
Bristol,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Henry  Astor  then  pur- 
chased him  and  kept  him  on  Long  Island  for  two  years. 
About  this  time  Mr.  0.  W.  Van  Eanst,  Esq.,  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  him,  and  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life  he  was  kept  in  various  parts  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  at  Cooper’s 
Ferry,  opposite  Philadelphia. 

He  died  January  28,  1808.  His  stock  were  cele- 
brated as  roadsters  rather  than  racers,  though  he 
was  sire  of  Miller’s  Damsel  and  some  others  of  note. 
Whether  animals  of  either  of  these  families  can  now 
be  found  possessing  sufficient  resemblance  to  one  an- 
other, and  enough  of  the  blood  of  the  ancestor  from 
whom  they  derive  their  name,  to  render  it  possible  to 
establish  a distinct  and  permanent  variety,  we  are  un- 
able to  say,  but  think  it  doubtful. 

The  observant  traveller  through  the  different  States 
of  the  Union,  who  possesses  any  taste  for  a horse,  can- 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


25 


not  fail  to  mark  the  striking  difference  in  the  general 
character  of  the  horses  of  different  sections  of  the 
country.  In  the  New  England  States  he  sees  a com- 
pact, hardy  stock  of  horses  of  medium  size,  with  high 
carriage — good  travellers,  and  extremely  gentle  and 
tractable  driving  horses. 

In  almost  every  county  he  may  find  descendants  of 
the  Justin  Morgan,  and  in  some  he  will  see  that  they 
comprise  a large  portion  of  the  stock.  Along  the  Can- 
ada border  he  will  see  many  specimens  of  the  French- 
Canadian  horse,  and  in  some  parts  of  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut  he  will  see  descendants  of  the  Norman, 
the  Flemish,  and  the  Danish  horse. 

Throughout  New  England  he  will  see  evidences  of 
the  blood  of  the  English  racer,  and  the  Arabian ; Mes- 
senger, Dey  of  Algiers,  Hamiltonian,  Cock  of  the 
Eock,  Henry,  Post  Boy,  Sir  Walter,  Sir  Charles,  and 
many  others,  having  mingled  their  blood  with  the  com- 
mon stock  of  the  country,  but  the  pure  thorough-bred 
he  will  not  be  apt  to  see.  Passing  through  New  York, 
we  see  a greater  variety  of  horses.  Within  the  State 
may  be  found  individuals  exhibiting  the  form  and 
characteristics  of  every  breed  known  in  this  country. 
As  a general  rule  the  driving  horses  (many  of  them 
very  fine)  are  taller  than  those  of  New  England,  and 
less  compact.  The  farm  and  draft  horses  are  generally 
larger,  but  vary  much  in  size  from  the  Canadian  pony 
to  the  English  cart  horse.  The  thorough-bred  may 
occasionally  be  met  with,  though  not  so  common  now 
as  formerly ; but  scattered  throughout  the  State  may 
be  found  the  descendants  of  Messenger,  Eclipse,  Henry, 
Duroc,  and  other  celebrated  horses  of  that  breed.  In 
2 


26 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


the  central  and  northern  parts  of  the  State  may  be 
seen  some  of  the  descendants  of  the  Justin  Morgan, 
some  of  these  horses  having  been  taken  there  within 
the  past  few  years. 

As  we  pass  through  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  we 
observe  a more  striking  change  in  the  character  of  the 
horses.  The  fine  driving  horse  is  more  rarely  seen. 
The  farm  and  draft  horses  are  much  larger,  and  some- 
times are  really  immense.  They  are  descended  from  the 
Flemish  and  Danish  horses,  are  usually  fat,  slow  and 
awkvv^ard,  are  sometimes  pretty  well  formed,  but  are 
inclined  to  be  leggy  and  loosely  built. 

In  the  eastern  part  of  Pennsylvania  and  northern 
part  of  Ohio,  many  fair  driving  horses  may  be  seen, 
but  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania  and  southern 
part  of  Ohio,  good  buggy  horses  are  not  common — 
light  wagons  are  not  much  used.  Many  good  sad- 
dle horses  may  be  found  possessing  more  or  less  of  the 
characteristics  of  the  English  thorough-bred,  a good 
specimen  of  which  may  occasionally  be  seen. 

As  we  go  west  and  south  we  find  the  good  buggy 
horse  becoming  more  and  more  rare,  and  the  number 
and  quality  of  the  saddle  horses  constantly  increasing  ; 
until  arrived  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  the  former  is 
not  often  seen,  while  the  latter  are  both  numerous  and 
excellent. 

Many  of  the  draft  and  carriage  horses  used  in  Ken- 
tucky, are  brought  from  Ohio  and  Indiana,  and  are 
taken  from  the  same  stock  of  those  States,  the  coarsest 
being  used  for  draft  and  the  finest  for  the  carriage. 

The  horses  in  common  use  for  farm  and  similar  work, 
are  decidedly  inferior.  This  is,  perhaps,  in  a great  de* 


THE  MOST  ESTEEMED  BREEDS. 


27 


gree,  duo  to  the  fact  that  a large  number  of  the  best 
mares  are  constantly  used  for  breeding  mules,  and  that 
more  attention  is  paid  to  raising  the  latter  animals, 
which  have  become  one  of  the  great  staples  of  Ken- 
tucky. 

Throughout  the  remaining  Southern  States  the  ani- 
mals used  upon  the  farm  and  road  are  principally 
mules ; light  wagons  are  but  little  used  ; the  white  popu- 
lation is  more  thinly  scattered ; and  though  most  of  the 
planters  keep  a family  carriage,  yet  the  ordinary  busi- 
ness travel  is  principally  upon  horseback.  Through- 
out the  Southern  States  the  English  thorough-bred  is 
found  in  high  perfection,  and  many  of  the  horses  in 
common  use  partake  largely  of  his  blood. 

The  horses  of  Indiana,  Illinois  and  the  other  Western 
and  North-Western  States,  closely  resemble  the  horses 
of  Ohio,  and  in  fact,  many  of  them  were  raised  in  that 
State,  and  taken  farther  west  by  persons  emigrating  to 
new  lands. 

Although  emigration  has  been  going  on  for  some 
time  from  New  England  to  these  States,  yet  until  with- 
in the  last  few  years  the  emigrants  very  rarely  took 
any  animals  with  them,  the  journey  being  too  long  to 
be  undertaken  with  teams ; but  the  emigration  to  that 
country  from  Ohio,  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  has 
very  generally  been  made  in  wagons,  the  emigrants 
taking  their  horses  with  them. 

Within  the  last  few  years  a few  Morgan  horses  have 
been  taken  into  that  section,  where  they  command 
high  prices ; and  as  they  become  more  and  more  known, 
so  the  demand  for  them  is  steadily  increasing,  and  in 


28 


THE  MOEGAN  HORSE. 


passing  tbrougli  the  large  towns  the  traveller  will  occa- 
sionally see  a good  specimen  of  the  race. 

It  is  a fact  worthy  of  note  that  the  English  thorough- 
bred is  found  most  numerous,  and  in  the  greatest  per- 
fection, in  those  States  where  the  saddle  horse  is  most 
in  demand,  and  where  the  light  buggy  has  not  yet 
come  into  very  general  use ; while  in  those  States 
where  the  horse  is  little  used  under  the  saddle,  but 
almost  entirely  in  harness,  he  is  not  often  met  with. 


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t9M!  nr  ■ ^ •'., , y.  . 

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library 

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I’  A L'  L C L i F F O R D. 


CHAPTEE  II. 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OP  SERVICE  REQUIRED  OP  HORSES 
FORMERLY,  AND  AT  THE  PRESENT  DAY. 

Up  to  the  tenth  century  the  Arabs  alone  seem  to 
have  taken  much  pains  in  breeding  their  horses,  and 
the  crosses  of  the  different  breeds  in  Europe  were  due 
more  to  chance  than  to  any  matured  plan  of  improve- 
ment. The  warlike  sports  of  the  joust  and  the  tour- 
nament, which  originated  in  France,  reached  their  full 
perfection  in  that  country  during  the  tenth  century, 
and  by  the  close  of  the  twelfth  had  extended  over 
Europe. 

Success  in  these  contests  depended  as  much  upon 
the  power  and  activity  of  the  horse,  as  upon  the  skill 
and  strength  of  the  rider.  Every  effort  was  made  to 
procure  the  finest  horses  by  those  who  engaged  in 
these  sports.  At  first  the  Spanish  horse  was  almost 
exclusively  used. 

The  motley  assemblage  of  people  from  every  nation 
of  Europe,  to  form  the  armies  engaged  in  the  crusades, 
brought  together  horses  of  every  known  variety.  The 
knights  of  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth  centuries  were 
almost  constantly  engaged  in  a fierce  struggle  with  the 
Saracens,  or  in  the  warlike  sports  of  that  age.  The 
announcement  of  a “passage  at  arms”  drew  them 

m 


30 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


together  from  the  most  distant  points.  The  knights 
had  increased  the  weight  of  their  armor  until  it  alone 
was  an  ample  load  for  the  horse,  consequently  ani- 
mals of  great  size  and  strength  were  needed;  and  it 
soon  became  evident  that  neither  the  Andalusian,  the 
Turkish,  the  Arabian,  nor  the  English  horse,  was 
able  to  cope  successfully  in  the  crushing  charge  of  the 
tournament  with  the  much  larger  and  stronger,  though 
less  spirited  and  active  horses  of  Lombardy,  Norman- 
dy, Flanders,  and  Denmark.  It  was  this  size  and 
strength,  combined  with  symmetry  of  form  and  good 
carriage,  that  caused  these  horses  to  be  much  sought 
after  by  the  knights  and  nobles  throughout  Europe. 

It  must  not  be  forgotten  in  considering  the  services 
demanded  of  the  horse  in  that  age,  that  it  is  not  prob- 
able he  was  used  for  field  labor  on  the  farm  before 
the  commmencement  of  the  eleventh  century,  and  we 
have  no  notice  of  his  being  put  to  such  service  until 
1066.  Horses  were  at  that  time  little  used  except 
under  the  saddle,  for  ordinary  travelling,  for  cavalry 
carrying  heavy  armor,  and  for  heavy  draft. 

About  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century  the  use 
of  gunpowder  for  military  purposes,  and  the  decline 
of  chivalry  with  its  accompanying  martial  sports  and 
exercises,  produced  a great  change  in  the  horses  used 
for  cavalry,  and  by  the  nobles  and  gentry  of  Europe. 
Cavalry  no  longer  derived  its  chief  efficiency  from  the 
size  and  strength  of  the  horse,  which  was  necessary  to 
enable  him  to  carry  the  two  or  three  hundred  pounds 
of  armor  that  was  sometimes  put  upon  him. 

This  armor,  encasing  both  horse  and  rider,  was 
almost  impervious  to  any  weapons  that  had  before  been 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  31 

used,  but  afforded  little  protection  from  musketry,  and 
was  of  course  utterly  useless  when  exposed  to  artillery. 
The  horses,  large,  clumsy  and  awkward,  were  incapa- 
ble of  executing  evolutions  rapidly,  or  of  going  into 
action  at  anything  but  a moderate  pace;  and  they 
rapidly  fell  into  disuse,  their  place  being  supplied  by 
a much  smaller  and  more  active  horse. 

For  cavalry  of  the  present  day  a horse  of  medium 
size  is  required.  He  carries  no  defensive  armor. 
The  principal  purposes  for  which  cavalry  are  now 
used  are,  keeping  open  communication  between  dif- 
ferent bodies  of  infantry,  and  patrolling  the  country. 
In  battle,  they  are  usually  held  in  reserve  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  any  momentary  confusion  in  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  success  of  an  attack  at  such  a moment 
depends  in  a great  measure  upon  the  promptness  and 
celerity  with  which  it  is  made.  Finall}^,  they  are  of  great 
service  in  following  up  the  success  in  case  of  victory, 
and  in  covering  a retreat.  For  these  kinds  of  service 
it  will  be  readily  seen  that  the  horse  most  suitable 
must  be  of  medium  size,  compact,  muscular,  hardy, 
courageous,  and  active. 

Since  the  use  of  gunpowder,  the  greatest  changes 
that  have  taken  place  in  the  general  character  of  the 
horse  have  occurred  in  Engcland ; and  for  this  reason, 
together  with  the  fact  that  our  American  horses  are 
principally  descended  from  English  stock,  we  shall 
glance  chiefly  at  the  changes  that  have  taken  place  in 
the  character  of  the  English  horse,  and  the  service  to 
which  he  has  been  put. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  seventeenth  century, 
the  great  mass  of  the  horses  of  England,  with  the  ex- 


32 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ception  of  the  thorough-breds,  might  be  divided  into 
two  classes,  viz. : draft  horses,  and  saddle  horses.  The 
former  were  used  for  transporting  merchandise  from 
place  to  place  in  heavy  carts,  to  which  were  attached 
from  one  to  six  horses.  As,  np  to  that  time,  canals 
and  railroads  were  unknown,  an  enormous  number  of 
these  horses  was  required  to  move  to  the  seaboard  the 
exports  of  a country  rich  as  England  was  in  agricul- 
tural productions  and  manufactured  anicles;  and  to 
distribute  throughout  the  country  the  imported  arti- 
cles received  in  exchange. 

The  great  demand  for  these  horses  caused  much  at- 
tention to  be  paid  to  breeding  them,  and  the  best 
English  cart  horse  has  never  been  excelled  for  the 
kind  of  service  to  which  he  is  so  peculiarly  adapted. 

The  people  of  that  age  moved  but  little  from  home ; 
when  they  did,  the  journey  was  made  on  horseback, 
and  for  the  saddle  they  had  their  hackneys,  or  hunters. 
It  is  somewhat  difficult  to  distinguish  very  clearly  be- 
tween the  hunter  and  hackney  of  that  age,  for  both 
were  usually  possessed  of  more  or  less  blood,  and  the 
best  hackneys  were  good  hunters. 

Carriages  for  any  other  purposes  than  the  transport- 
ation of  merchandise  were  comparatively  unknown, 
and  the  heavy  draft  horse,  being  the  only  one  broken 
to  harness,  was  almost  universally  used  for  all  farm  or 
similar  work.  Coaches  as  a public  means  of  convey- 
ance, Avere  first  used  in  France  and  England  about 
1620  ; but  they  were  long  in  coming  into  general  use, 
and  in  1637  only  fifty  hackney  coaches  were  licensed 
in  London.  From  this  time  the  number  rapidly  in- 
creased, and  in  1778  there  were  twenty -three  thousand 


CONTKAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  33 


ill  England.  These  were  all  hackney,  and  not  mail 
coaches.  The  first  mail  coach  started  from  London 
for  Bristol  the  2d  day  of  August,  1784.  In  forty 
years  from  that  time  the  English  mail-coaches  travelled 
nearly  thirteen  thousand  miles  per  day,  and  the  num- 
ber of  miles  travelled  daily  by  hackney  coaches 
largely  exceeded  this.  The  opening  of  canals  in 
France  about  two  hundred,  and  in  England  about  one 
hundred  years  since,  caused  a great  decrease  in  the 
demand  for  heavy  draft  horses,  and  the  attention  of 
breeders  was  turned  to  horses  for  coaches,  which  were 
then  just  coming  into  use.  The  introduction  of  steam 
power  upon  railways  some  twenty-five  years  since,  soon 
superseded  the  use  of  coaches  on  all  the  great  thorough- 
fares, and  produced  a vast  change  in  the  kind  of  service 
required  of  horses  on  the  road. 

The  roads  relieved  from  the  heavy  coaches  that  be- 
ing drawn  at  a rapid  rate  kept  them  in  bad  condition, 
were  much  improved,  and  consequently  much  better 
fitted  for  the  movement  of  light  carriages  at  a high 
speed.  Formerly  the  English  mail  was  thought  to 
travel  at  a rate  that  defied  all  competition,  but  to  the 
traveller  upon  the  railways,  ten  miles  an  hour  seemed 
but  a moderate  pace,  and  horsemen,  emulous  of  steam, 
made  every  effort  to  increase  the  speed  of  light  car- 
riage horses.  Horses  differing  from  the  old  coach 
horse  in  size,  the  slope  of  the  shoulders,  and  style  of 
action,  grew  rapidly  in  demand.  But  the  English  have 
not  the  same  taste  for  pleasure  driving  that  our  court 
trymen  possess,  and  though  they  take  a greal  deal  of 
exercise  out  of  doors,  it  is  generally  on  foot  or  in  the 
saddle. 


2* 


34 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


The  changes  that  have  taken  place  in  this  country 
daring  the  last  fifty  years,  in  the  kinds  of  service  re- 
quired of  horses,  have  been  more  rapid  and  marked 
than  in  England. 

Fifty  years  ago  almost  the  entire  inland  traffic  was 
carried  on  by  means  of  horses.  Excepting  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  large  cities,  the  roads  throughout  the  coun- 
try were  wretched,  and  the  best  consisted  of  no  other 
material  than  the  natural  soil,  a little  raised  by  ditching 
at  the  sides,  and  forming  the  road-bed  with  the  mate- 
rial thus  obtained.  Even  this  Avas  often  neglected, 
and  nothing  was  done  but  to  cut  dov/n  the  forest,  and 
record  in  the  proper  office  the  course  of  the  road. 
When  we  consider  that  over  such  roads  all  the  freight 
of  the  country  Avas  moved  upon  Avagons,  it  will  not  be 
a matter  of  surprise,  that  the  rate  of  travel  of  the 
lightest  carriages  rarely  exceeded  four  or  five  miles 
per  hour. 

Contracts  Avere  made  for  carrying  the  mail  at  this 
rate,  and  often  in  the  thinly-settled  parts  of  the  coun- 
try at  even  a lower  speed.  The  Avagons  loaded  Avith 
merchandise,  and  the  heavy  mail  coaches,  kept  the 
roads  in  a condition  that  entirely  forbade  any  attempt 
at  rapid  driving  Avith  any  description  of  carriage. 
The  farmers,  as  they  were  often  compelled  to  haul 
their  produce  long  distances  to  find  a market,  required 
a horse  heavier  than  Avas  necessary  or  profitable  for 
performing  only  their  farm  AYork,  although  the  farm 
AYork  of  that  day  was  far  more  severe  for  both  the  farmer 
and  his  horse,  than  it  is  now.  Transporting  the  mails, 
hauling  freight,  and  ordinary  field  labor,  were  then 
the  principal  services  demanded  of  the  horse.  But 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  35 

HOW  the  lumbering  freight  wagon  with  its  long  team 
of  slow,  heavy  horses,  is  rarely  seen.  The  mail  coach 
with  all  its  comforts  and  annoyances,  will  be  known 
to  the  coming  generation  only  from  history.  The  farm- 
er, instead  of  being  compelled  to  transport  his  farm 
products  to  the  largest  towns  or  cities,  now  finds  a ready 
market  almost  at  his  door,  for,  guided  by  science,  steam 
with  its  giant  power  has  scaled  our  mountains,  and 
drives  the  locomotive  cheerily  through  almost  every 
valley  of  our  country,  relieving  the  worn  draft  horse 
of  his  load,  the  panting,  steaming  coach  horse  of  his 
mails  and  passengers,  and  bringing  the  dealer  in  produce 
into  almost  every  hamlet.  Science  also  has  greatly  les- 
sened the  labor  of  tilling  the  soil,  has  substituted  the 
light,  beautifully-shaped,  and  easy-running  iron  plow, 
for  the  heavy,  clumsy,  and  hard-running  wooden  one 
of  our  ancestors.  Every  description  of  agricultural  im- 
plement has  been  remodelled  and  improved,  until  they 
bear  little  resemblance  to  the  rude  instruments  used 
by  our  fathers.  These  improvements  in  all  kinds  of 
agricultural  tools,  wagons,  plows,  harrows,  &c.,  have 
very  much  lightened  the  labors  of  the  horse.  In  ad- 
dition to  this,  the  forests  having  been  felled,  the  fields 
cleared  of  the  timber  and  stumps,  and  the  soil  being 
in  a higher  and  easier  condition  for  cultivation,  the 
farmers  have  discovered  that  active,  hardy  horses  of 
medium  size,  are  much  more  profitable  than  the  large, 
sloAv,  and  clumsy  animals  so  generally  in  use  fifty  years 
ago.  The  former  can  certainly  accomplish  more  ordi- 
nary farm  work  than  the  latter.  They  will  plow  as 
much  in  all  cases  except  perhaps  turning  a stiff  clay 


36 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


sod ; they  will  harrow  more,  and  reap  more  ; they  are 
much  easier  kept,  and  are  less  liable  to  accidents. 

When  nsed  upon  the  road,  they  are  almost  invari- 
ably better  travellers ; and  if  selected  with  judgment 
from  good  stock,  they  are  fleet  and  tractable. 

It  is  probably  in  a great  measure  owing  to  the  im- 
provement in  our  farms,  and  farming  tools,  that  horses 
are  now  much  more  generally  used  for  farm  work  than 
they  formerly  were.  When  the  country  was  new,  and 
the  fields  cumbered  with  huge  stumps,  whose  tough 
roots  spread  like  a net- work  through  every  part  of  the 
soil,  the  ox  was  most  generally  used  for  plowing,  for  his 
very  dulness  is  in  such  ground  an  advantage,  as  at  the 
most  moderate  pace,  and  with  the  utmost  care,  ordinary 
plows  and  harnesses  will  frequently  be  broken,  when 
the  plow  comes  in  contact  with  the  stumps  or  roots. 
The  substitution  of  the  improved  cultivator  for  the 
hoe,  the  reaper  for  the  cradle,  and  the  threshing-ma- 
chine for  the  flail,  has  rendered  the  horse  almost  indis- 
pensable to  the  farmer  in  the  prosecution  of  his  calling  ; 
so  that  whatever  may  be  the  difference  of  opinion  as 
to  the  relative  cost  of  keeping,  amount  of  labor  per- 
formed, &c.,  horses  are  now  almost  universally  pre- 
ferred to  oxen  for  a farm  team. 

The  English  race-horse  or  thorough-bred  is  less 
afiected  than  any  other  class  of  horses,  by  great 
changes  in  the  modes  of  public  conveyances,  the  im- 
provements of  roads  and  carriages,  or  the  introduction 
of  improved  implements  upon  the  farm.  Although 
most  of  the  English  horses,  with  the  exception  of  the 
draft  horse,  have  a greater  or  less  infusion  of  blood, 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  37 

yet  the  thorough-bred  is  put  to  no  ordinary  labor,  but 
is  bred  for  one  specific  purpose,  which  is  to  win  on 
the  race-course  the  stakes  that  are  offered.  The  nature 
of  the  qualities  he  should  possess  must  depend  on  the 
distance  run,  and  the  weight  carried.  For  while  the 
long,  leggy,  light-chested  horse,  may  be  able  to  take  a 
prodigious  stride,  and  with  plenty  of  bone  and  muscle 
he  may  carry  a heavy  weight  a short  distance  at  a 
flight  of  speed ; yet  he  can  never  make  four  miles  and 
repeat  with  the  same  weight,  unless  he  possesses  a deep 
roomy  chest  to  give  him  wind,  a more  compact  frame, 
and  a shorter  leg,  that  he  may  be  able  to  keep  up 
his  speed  without  fatiguing  the  muscles.  A century 
ago  there  were  six,  and  even  eight-mile  races  at  New- 
market, with  old  horses,  the  ordinary  races  being  at 
four  miles  and  repeat — now  the  “ heavy  plates  ” are 
all  offered  to  two  and  three-year-olds  for  short,  single 
races,  of  from  one  to  two  miles.  That  this  is  an  im- 
provement on  the  score  of  humanity  may  be  true; 
but  does  it  not  tend  to  depreciate  the  horse  for  those 
qualities  that  render  him  useful  in  ordinary  business, 
by  inducing  the  breeder  to  seek  for  and  foster  those 
qualities  that  give  speed  to  the  horse,  and  to  neglect 
those  that  are  indispensable  to  ^ve  him  endurance  ? 
This  would  seem  at  a glance  to  be  the  inevitable  ten  - 
dency  of  such  a change  in  the  length  of  the  race, 
and  the  age  of  the  horses.  But  we  must  not  stop  to 
discuss  this  question,  nor  inquire  into  the  causes 
which  produced  this  great  change  in  the  character  of 
English  racing,  however  interesting  such  an  inquiry 
might  prove  to  ourselves  or  the  reader.  It  will  be 
sufficient  for  our  present  purpose  to  inquire  whether 


88 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


there  has  been  any  change  in  the  character  of  the 
thorough-bred,  and  if  so,  whether  it  has  been  for  bet- 
ter, or  worse.  This  latter  inc[mry  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance to  the  breeder,  for  in  England,  and  in  our  own 
country,  many  breeders  have  been  accustomed  to  be- 
lieve that  direct  resort  to  the  thorough-bred  w^as  indis- 
pensable to  the  production  of  a fine  horse,  acting  from 
faith  in  the  old  adage  that  '‘blood  will  tell,”  without 
stopping  to  inquire  if  that  blood  is  still  the  same, 
much  less  what  is  the  true  and  proper  meaning  of  the 
expression. 

That  a marked  change  has  taken  place  in  the  char- 
acter of  the  thorough-bred,  and  that  the  change  has 
been  a deterioration  in  compactness,  and  power  of  en- 
durance, seems  hardly  to  admit  of  a doubt. 

A writer  in  the  “American  Turf  Eegister  and 
Sporting  Magazine,”  Vol.  IX.,  p.  9,  (a  paper  devoted  to 
the  interest  of  thorough-bred  stock,)  tells  us,  that  “his 
size,  or  perhaps  his  height,  has  been  much  increased, 
without  any  diminution  of  his  blood-like  appearance, 
but  he  has  lost  that  full,  round  carcase  and  compact 
form,  which  belonged  to  the  horses  of  the  olden  time — 
and  if  as  they  now  believe  they  have  increased  the 
speed,  stride,  and  capacity  to  carry  weight  for  short 
single-heat  races,  they  have  not  increased  their  powers 
of  endurance,  or  enabled  them  to  run  long  repeating 
races  at  short  intervals.” 

Thomas  Emory  of  Maryland,  certainly  a most  criti- 
cal and  competent  judge  of  all  the  points  requisite  to 
the  perfect  race-horse,  in  a letter  to  the  same  paper, 
Vol.  IX.,  p.  126,  says : “ The  result  of  my  examination 
was  disappointment  in  my  expectations  of  English 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  39 

race-horses.  There  arc  here  and  there  a few  specimens 
of  the  race-horse  of  the  very  highest  order,  but  the 
proportion  of  the  trash  to  the  good,  is  greatly  beyond 
what  I expected,  and  it  is  wonderful  with  what  per- 
tinacity some  of  the  breeders  stick  to  their  trash.  * 
* * * breed  for  speed  and  ability  to  carry  high 

weights  at  an  early  age  for  short  distances  ; and  many 
of  them  acknowledge  their  error,  and  admit  they  may 
ere  long  have  to  come  to  our  country  for  hard-bot- 
tomed horses.  * At  Doncaster,  I saw  sold 

the  produce  of  several  of  the  large  breeding  studs  in 
the  contiguous  counties;  a few  of  them  were  good 
colts,  many  of  them  leggy,  weedy  animals,  and  more 
than  half  of  them  were  so  badly  splented  at  one  and 
two  years  old,  as  to  destroy  their  value. 

‘‘  This  splenting  at  this  age  unbroke  I could  not  ac- 
count for,  and  could  find  no  one  who  could,  but  there 
it  seemed  a matter  of  course  and  nobody  seemed  sur- 
prised at  it.  It  was  new  to  me.” 

In  an  essay  on  the  improvement  of  horses  published 
in  the  “ Farmer’s  Magazine  ” (London)  for  1845,  the 
writer  says  the  qualities  required  in  the  business  horse 
‘‘are  speed  and  endurance,  with  the  capability  of  car- 
rying heavy  w^eight,  with  varied  pace,  through  deep 
ground  across  a broken  country;  and  in  order  that 
they  should  possess  these  capabilities  they  should  have 
what  are  commonly  termed  in  hunter’s  phraseology 
bone,  muscle,  and  compactness. 

It  would  appear  that  our  blood  stock  formerly  pos- 
sessed these  characteristics  in  an  eminent  degree  ; and 
by  reference  to  former  sporting  publications,  it  will  be 
seen  that  they  were  shorter  in  the  leg,  and  capable  of 


40 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


carrying  heavy  weights,  and  running  long  distances ; 
now  they  run  with  light  weights  and  short  distances, 
where  bottom  is  not  so  necessary.  Our  fleetest  racers 
were  then  what  are  now  called  small  horses,  which 
means  that  they  were  not  the  tall,  lengthy,  leggy 
racers  of  the  present  day,  but  compact,  muscular,  and 
remarkable  for  their  capabilities  of  carrying  heavy 
weight,  and  power  of  endurance.” 

Mr.  Lawrence,  in  his  “Treatise  on  the  Horse,”  VoL 
I.,  page  105,  says,  in  speaking  of  those  thorough-breds 
that  fail  to  be  winners : “As  to  the  refuse  of  our  studs 
of  race-horses,  it  consists  usually  of  a parcel  of  half- 
gotten,  delicate,  weak,  spider-legged  creatures,  which 
it  is  a misery  to  see  applied  to  any  labor  whatever.” 

Similar  extracts  might  be  multiplied  indefinitely, 
but  the  foregoing  seem  amply  sufficient  to  establish  the 
fact,  that  the  thorough-bred,  or  race-horse,  is  less  com- 
pact, hardy,  and  enduring  than  formerly.  It  is  such 
evidence  that  must  establish  what  are  the  qualities  of 
a breed  of  horses,  and  individual  instances  of  animals 
of  the  breed-exhibiting  qualities  widely  different  from 
those  described  as  characteristic  of  their  kind,  whether 
better  or  worse,  are  only  to  be  regarded  as  exceptions 
to  a general  law. 

The  English  hunter  has  undergone  a change  equally 
marked,  and  similar  to  the  race-horse.  The  field  sports 
now  indulged  in  by  the  gentry  of  England,  differ  ma- 
terially from  those  of  their  ancestors.  The  chase  of  the 
present  day  is  a short,  but  spirited  and  exciting  race 
of  a few  hours. 

It  is  now  a common  custom  for  the  huntsmen  to 
have  an  extra  horse  ridden  by  a light  jockey,  who, 


CONTKAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  41 

keeping  far  enough  in  the  rear  to  avoid  the  circuitous 
course  of  the  hounds  by  watching  their  turnings,  and 
by  riding  at  only  a moderate  pace,  is  thus  at  frequent 
intervals  at  hand  to  give  his  master  a fresh  horse,  in 
exchange  for  his  blown  and  exhausted  one.  Thus 
fresh-mounted,  the  chase  is  continued  at  a dashing  pace, 
and  the  already  heated  and  panting  fox  is  soon  run 
over,  and  the  day’s  sport  is  ended  at  an  early  hour. 
The  noble  sport  of  hunting  was  a far  different  amuse- 
ment with  the  English  gentleman  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  and  taxed  to  the  utmost  the  power  of  endur- 
ance both  of  man  and  horse.  The  earliest  light  of 
morning  found  them  gathered  in  the  field,  and  the 
shadows  of  evening  often  put  an  end  to  the  chase.  If 
the  pace  was  less  rapid,  and  the  sport  less  exciting,  the 
former  was  much  longer  continued,  and  the  latter  w^as 
certainly  more  noble  and  manly.  From  this  change 
in  the  character  of  the  field  sports,  it  can  easily  be  un- 
derstood why  the  horse  who  brought  his  rider  ‘4n  at 
the  death  of  the  stag,”  at  the  close  of  a hard  day’s 
run  over  broken  hills,  marshy  valleys,  and  through 
tangled  forests,  should  differ  materially  from  one 
equally  successful  in  the  short,  but  furious  chase  of 
the  present  day. 

The  hunter  of  the  olden  time  was  remarkable  for  his 
stoutness  and  endurance,  was  rarely  more  than  half, 
and  often  not  more  than  a quarter,  thorougli-bred ; he 
was  short  in  the  leg  and  back,  with  deep  flanks,  and 
muscular  hips  and  loins ; his  stride  was  short,  compared 
with  the  hunter  of  the  present  day,  but  he  was  sure 
footed,  and  his  step  was  elastic,  nervous,  and  untiring. 
The  hunter  of  the  present  day  is  rarely  less  than  three- 


42 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE 


quarters  thorough-bred,  is  taller,  longer,  less  compact, 
and  sinewy,  and  takes  a much  longer  stride. 

The  thorough-bred  having,  as  we  have  shown,  be- 
come taller,  longer,  and  less  compact  and  enduring 
than  formerly,  and  the  hunter  having  now  more  of 
this  blood  than  formerly,  it  is  plain  that  he  must  have 
altered  still  more  in  these  respeccts. 

A writer  in  “Bell’s  Life  in  London,”  in  1845,  says: 
“It  is  not  near  so  easy  now  as  it  used  to  be,  to  bny  a 
good,  strong,  young  hunter.”  William  Goodwin,  Vete- 
rinary Surgeon  to  the  Queen,  in  an  article  published 
in  the  “London  Veterinarian,”  for  February,  1847,  says: 
“ It  is  an  admitted  fact  by  all  those  conversant  with  the 
horse  market  in  England,  that  good  horses  were  never 
known  to  be  so  scarce  as  they  now  are  * 

it  being  but  too  true  that  the  superior  riding  horse  or 
valuable  hunter  has  become  almost  a rara  avis  as 
compared  with  former  days.” 

The  increase  of  blood  seems  not  only  to  have  injured 
the  hunter,  but  also  the  carriage  and  road  horse.  Pro- 
fessor Gibson,  of  Philadelphia,  an  admirer  and  critical 
judge  of  the  horse,  thus  speaks  of  English  horses. 
After  saying  that  it  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with 
English  dealers  at  the  Irish  fairs,  buying  horses  for 
the  English  markets,  he  continues:  “The  English 
horse,  indeed,  within  the  last  twenty  years  has  degen- 
erated so  much,  in  some  respects,  as  not  to  serve  the 
many  useful  purposes  to  which  he  was  accustomed  at 
that  period,  owing  to  breeders  having  run  too  much 
upon  blood.  On  this  account  it  is  now  hardly  possible 
to  meet  with  any  of  the  old  stock  of  hunters  so  large 
and  powerful,  and  with  so  much  bone  and  sinew.  * * * 


CONTRAST  BETWEEN  THE  KINDS  OF  SERVICE.  43 

Even  the  carriage  horses,  indeed,  throughout  every  part 
of  England,  are  conspicuous  for  their  long,  low  necks, 
slab  sides,  and  spindle  shanks,  and  are  very  inferior  as 
a race  to  our  own  stock  for  the  same  purposes.” 

We  have  not  a class  of  horses  in  this  country  corre- 
sponding to  the  English  hunter,  but  we  have  the  Eng- 
lish thorough-bred ; and  as  we  have  from  time  to  time 
imported  breeding  animals  from  England,  a similar 
change  has  taken  place  in  our  thorough-bred  horses. 
This  change  may  not  have  been  so  gTeat  with  us,  as 
the  causes  which  we  believe  to  have  produced  that 
change  are  here  less  active.  No  one  who  has  paid  any 
attention  to  the  subject  can  have  failed  to  notice  that 
for  the  last  twenty  years  racing  has  steadily  declined 
in  this  country.  We  do  not  intend  to  assert  that  less 
speed  is  attained  now  than  in  the  days  of  Henry  and 
Eclipse,  but  that  far  less  interest  is  now  taken  in  these 
contests,  especially  in  the  Northern  and  Middle  States. 
The  trotter  has  been  steadily  supplanting  the  racer 
upon  the  road  and  turf. 

This  change,  instead  of  being  matter  of  surprise, 
seems  to  us  the  natural  result  of  the  substitution  of  the 
light  buggy  for  the  saddle.  For  the  latter  service  the 
thorough-bred  is  eminently  adapted ; for  the  former, 
he  is  not  so  well  fitted. 


CHAPTER  III 


DESCRIPTION  OP  THE  KIND  OP  HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  POR  IN  THE 
PRINCIPAL  MARKETS  OP  THE  COUNTRY. 

The  uses  to  wliicli  the  horses  sold  in  the  principal 
markets  of  our  country  are  put,  are  hauling  omnibuses, 
hacks,  driving  in  light  carriages,  and  trucking,  or 
moving  freight  from  place  to  place,  in  the  large  towns 
or  cities.  Some  horses  are  still  used  under  the  saddle, 
but  the  number  thus  employed  in  the  Northern  States 
is  comparatively  very  small,  and  in  New  England  a 
person  is  rarely  seen  on  horseback. 

At  the  South,  horseback  riding  is  still  a common 
mode  of  travelling,  but  light  buggies  are  rapidly  com- 
ing into  use,  and  will  undoubtedly  soon  afford  the 
favorite  means  of  conveyance,  on  account  of  the  many 
conveniences  they  offer — the  comparative  protection 
from  the  weather,  the  facility  for  carrying  light  pack- 
ages and  ordinary  personal  baggage,  added  to  the  fact 
that  with  a light  carriage  upon  good  roads,  a single 
horse  easily  performs  the  work  of  two  under  the  sad- 
dle. 

Though  it  is  undoubtedly  true,  yet  we  cannot  but 
regret,  that  our  countrymen  at  the  North  are  losing  all 
taste  for  the  manly  and  healthful  exercise  of  horseback 
riding. 

All  writers  upon  the  subject  of  the  proper  mode  of 

(44) 


ROMEO. 


5^  .:aOU  TB0U08  TSOK  «aK.-M'IT 

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oj  ?.mnbf;n  r vn  "n:>  v'.  ,•  »-!■  f'X-»  .iflv  a-irtftnoq 
h‘t'V)">Xi>  •^‘  > ■*  iMf!', 

-(■•'ifj  TO'iin 'ii;j./->  ' ' 1‘~  ' I ly.:  •■  j 

v>  ■'  f‘  4 : 7^< 

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.V  O.  :.»&■  i:  •.■;  ^ 

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»rf»  *»!!  " ‘-f  ’ '■; 

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' : S 1.  -Ili  Jo'/ 


„?5.V<**K  -T«  , . ^ , . 

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,»«Enii|  i *ii4  itnn  ' 

• ...  . : 1 ' >,■.-•  1.  >:  .-nn*.*  i<  /.  . 

Eint'-fo  ^i\i  •;.■:•■•*!  : t’' 

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. /•- I '^ytm  odi  A 

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w“i VERSjjy  ^ MiJN0i5(  - .- 1 w-  j # 

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; no  fiSiJAtd  fin  ‘-titw  st-wfT  ** 

iM&d  diw  Ti  nryi^aKv*  Ihlw^  fb^4liW 

■’=  -^fTJ 

* ft  I it  •*>  fcJ  t !■. 

' !bit^  )tdt  ^ 

W T?»lp^  iMb«  /^oe  tl 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


45 


living,  urge  upon  us,  in  the  strongest  language,  the  im- 
portance of  this  exercise,  as  one  most  conducive  to 
health,  and  there  are  certainly  few  exercises  more 
graceful  or  exciting.  The  healthful  excitement  pro- 
duced by  this  exercise,  in  a bracing  atmosphere,  must 
have  been  felt  by  the  writer  of  the  following  beautiful 
lines,  or  he  would  have  been  unable  to  describe  its 
effects  so  graphically  and  beautifully.  It  was  first  pub- 
lished in  1832,  over  the  signature  of  “Idler,”  in  the 
“American  Turf  Eegister  and  Sporting  Magazine,” 
Vol.  III.,  page  512  : 

MY  HORSE. 

“ With  a glancing  eye  and  curving  mane, 

He  neighs  and  champs  on  the  bridle-rein, 

One  spring,  and  his  saddled  back  I press. 

And  ours  is  a common  happiness ! 

’Tis  the  rapture  of  motion — a hurrying  cloud 
When  the  loosened  winds  are  breathing  loud ; — 

A shaft  from  the  painted  Indian’s  bow, — 

A bird — in  the  pride  of  speed  we  go. 

Dark  thoughts  that  haunt  me,  where  are  ye  now, 

While  the  cleft  air  gratefully  cools  my  brow. 

And  the  dizzy  earth  seems  reeling  by. 

And  naught  is  at  rest  but  the  arching  sky, 

And  the  tramp  of  my  steed,  so  swift  and  strong, 

Is  dearer  than  fame  and  sweeter  than  song  ? 

“ There  is  life  in  the  breeze  as  we  hasten  on  ; 

With  each  bound  some  care  of  earth  has  gone. 

And  the  languid  pulse  begins  to  play. 

And  the  night  of  my  soul  is  turned  to  day. 

A richer  verdure  the  earth  overspreads. 

Sparkles  the  streamlet  more  bright  in  the  meads ; 

And  its  voice,  to  the  flowers  that  bend  above, 

Is  soft  as  the  whisper  of  early  love. 


46 


THE  MOKGAN  HOKSE. 


With  fragrance  spring-flowers  have  burdened  the  air, 

And  the  blue-bird  and  robin  are  twittering  clear. 

“ Lovely  tokens  of  gladness,  I marked  ye  not 
When  last  I roamed  o’er  this  self  same  spot. 

Ah ! then  the  deep  shadows  of  Sorrow’s  mien 
Fell  like  a blight  on  the  happy  scene, 

And  Nature,  with  all  her  love  and  grace. 

In.  the  depths  of  the  spirit  could  find  no  place. 

“ So  the  vexed  breast  of  the  mountain  lake. 

When  wind  and  rain  mad  revelry  make. 

Turbid  and  gloomy  and  wildly  tossed, 

Hetains  no  trace  of  the  beauty  lost : 

But  when  through  the  moist  air,  bright  and  warm. 

The  sun  looks  down  with  his  golden  charm. 

And  clouds  have  fled,  and  the  wind  is  lull. 

Oh  ! then  the  changed  lake,  how  beautiful ! 

The  glistening  trees  in  their  shady  ranks. 

And  the  ewe,  with  her  lamb  along  its  banks. 

And  the  king-fisher,  perched  on  the  withered  bough, 

And  the  pure  blue  heaven  all  pictured  below ! 

Bound  proudly,  my  steed  ; nor  bound  proudly  in  vain, 

Since  thy  master  is  now  himself  again. 

And  thine  be  the  praise,  when  the  leech’s  power 
Is  idle,  to  conquer  the  darkened  hour — 

By  the  might  of  thy  sounding  hoof,  to  win 
Beauty  without  and  and  a joy  within  ; 

Beauty,  else  to  my  eyes  unseen. 

And  joy,  that  then  had  a stranger  been.” 

Tlie  demand  for  saddle  horses  is  so  small,  that  very 
few  breeders  make  any  effort  to  raise  animals  suited  to 
this  service,  and  even  if  the  demand  were  much  greater, 
it  would  hardly  prove  profitable  ; for  it  is  difficult,  by 
the  most  skilful  breeding,  to  produce  horses  that  will 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


47 


have  the  natural  paces  that  are  usually  deemed  indis- 
pensable to  a good  saddle  horse.  It  is  a slow  and  la- 
borious process  to  teach  a horse  to  move  in  a gait 
altogether  unnatural  to  him,  and,  however  well  he  may 
be  trained,  he  cannot  move  easily  in  it. 

The  horses  best  adapted  to,  and  most  sought,  for  om- 
nibus and  hack  use,  are  of  medium  size,  weighing  from 
ten  to  eleven  hundred  pounds.  Very  many  of  them 
weigh  less  than  ten  hundred  pounds.  For  hacks  they  do 
very  well  at  nine  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  but  for 
omnibus  service,  ten  hundred  is  about  the  minimum 
size  with  buyers  Avhen  the  market  is  well  supplied.  As 
omnibuses  are  usually  heavily  loaded,  and  drawn  at  a 
moderate  rate,  it  might  at  first  seem  advisable  to  use 
horses  of  much  larger  size.  It  would,  perhaps,  be  more 
economical  if  the  carriages  were  drawn  over  common 
earth  roads ; but  the  road  is  usually  a hard,  uneven 
pavement,  and  the  heavy  horse  soon  breaks  up  his 
feet,  injures  his  knees,  and  becomes  unfit  for  use. 
Large  horses  have  not,  as  a general  thing,  as  good  feet 
as  smaller  ones,  and  the  omnibus  horse,  however  good 
his  feet  and  knees,  is  very  apt  to  injure  them.  To  us, 
it  is  a matter  of  astonishment  that' they  withstand  as 
well  as  they  do,  the  constant  pounding  upon  the  flinty 
pavements.  For  this  reason,  the  well-formed  horse, 
weighing  from  ten  to  eleven  hundred  pounds,  is  pre- 
ferred to  a larger  animal  for  omnibus-work.  The  same 
objection  applies,  only  with  greater  force,  to  the  large 
horse  for  the  hack ; for  in  the  latter  carriage,  the  load 
is  less  and  the  speed  greater. 

The  horse  best  suited  to  hack  service,  is  well  adapt- 
ed to  a vast  many  kinds  of  business.  He  must  be 


48 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


hardy  and  enduring,  a good,  free  driver,  with  high  car- 
riage, and  easy  action ; in  short,  he  must  be  a good 
roadster.  He  must  also  be  “kind  at  a pull,’’  for  he  will 
occasionally  be  put  to  one ; he  must  be  quiet  and  fear- 
less, for  he  will  be  frequently  required  to  stand  by  the 
roadside  hours  at  a time,  and  he  will  be  driven  where 
there  are  ten  thousand  things  to  frighten  and  annoy 
him.  With  all  these  good  qualities,  his  owner  will  find 
him  dull  of  sale  if  his  feet  and  limbs  are  not  super- 
latively good,  for  to  no  animal  are  they  as  indispensa- 
ble as  to  the  city  hack  or  livery  horse.  He  is  con- 
stantly driven  rapidly  over  roads  harder  than  iron. 
Often  after  being  heated  by  fast  driving,  he  will  be  left 
to  cool  with  his  feet  standing  in  cold  water,  or  with  a 
stiff  northwester  blowing  on  him,  and  unless  his  feet 
and  constitution  are  both  perfectly  sound,  he  will  be 
soon  used  up. 

The  omnibus  or  coach  horse  may  be  straighter  in  the 
shoulder,  and  heavier  in  the  forehand,  than  would  be 
at  all  pleasant  in  the  buggy  horse,  without  detracting 
from  his  usefulness ; but  most  coach  and  omnibus  own- 
ers prefer  a horse  of  high  carriage,  good  action,  and  fine 
style ; and  it  is  very  certain  that  such  horses  always 
sell  readily  for  such  service,  even  if  doctors  do  not  all 
agree  that  their  form  is  the  very  best  for  their  work. 

For  truck  horses  there  is  usually  a fair  demand. 
For  this  service,  a heavy  horse  is  best  adapted,  and 
perhaps  the  heavier  he  is  the  better,  provided  he  is 
compact,  well  proportioned,  with  good  limbs  and  feet. 
For  this  kind  of  service  speed  is  not  required,  and  the 
most  important  requisites  are  a good  constitution, 
good  figure,  a quiet  temper,  and  a moderately-quick 
walk. 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


49 


Fine,  large,  well-matched  horses,  such  as  are  used  by 
men  of  fortune  in  the  cities  before  their  showy  car- 
riages, are  always  in  demand,  and  command  high 
prices;  but  the  number  of  horses  in  use  for  this  service 
is  comparatively  small,  and  their  labor  being  very  light, 
they  live  to  a good  age,  and  do  not  require  to  be  often 
replaced,  as  is  the  case  with  horses  put  to  more  severe 
service. 

Horses  that  may  be  called  Sporting  Horses,”  are 
still  less  numerous,  and  always  command  high  prices. 
In  all  the  Northern  cities,  by  the  term  sporting  horse 
is  generally  understood  a fast-trotting  horse ; but  at 
the  South,  by  the  same  term  is  generally  understood  a 
race-horse.  It  is  extremely  difficult  to  say  just  what 
rate  of  speed  entitles  a trotting  horse  to  the  distinction 
of  sporting  horse,”  and  if  it  could  be  stated  to  a sec- 
ond, it  would  be  of  no  importance,  for  the  standard 
must  be  constantly  changing,  so  long  as  the  speed  of 
our  road  horses  goes  on  increasing ; for  it  is  not  lli  j 
power  to  go  a given  distance,  within  a given  time,  that 
gives  a horse  this  distinction,  but  the  power  to  do  it  ” 
relatively  quick,  or  quicker  than  the  majority  of  the 
horses  he  meets  on  the  turf. 

A few  years  since,  a horse  that  could  trot  his  mile 
inside  of  three  minutes,  could  fairly  lay  claim  to  this 
distinction  ; but  now  persons  will  rarely  take  the 
trouble  to  record  his  time  if  he  cannot  do  it  several 
seconds  within  that.  We  think  it  safe  to  say,  that  no 
horse  can  lay  claim  to  the  title  of  a sporting  horse  that 
cannot  make  his  single  mile  in  three  minutes,  and 
unless  he  can  do  much  better  than  that  he  will  not  be 
called  ‘‘fast.”  The  true  sporting  horse  is  valuable 
8 


60 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


mainly  on  account  of  his  speed ; and  symmetry  of  form 
and  elegance  of  style  are  but  little  considered  provided 
he  can  ‘‘  make  time.” 

In  all  the  cities  and  large  towns  there  is  a great 
demand  for  horses  similar  to  those  used  in  omnibuses, 
hacks,  and  livery  stables : namely,  for  express  wagons, 
butchers’  carts,  milk  carts,  bakers’  carts,  &c.,  &c.,  and 
the  horse  that  is  lest  adapted  to  any  one  of  these  uses 
will  be  well  suited  to  all  the  rest.  A horse  suited  to 
these  kinds  of  service,  should  possess  an  iron  constitu- 
tion, for  he  will  be  put  to  the  severest  kind  of  labor, 
and  without  this,  all  other  good  points  will  be  of  little 
service  to  him,  for  he  will  soon  break  down.  His  feet 
and  limbs  must  be  unexceptionable,  for  he  will  be 
driven  rapidly  over  flinty  roads,  with  little  regard  to 
the  ascent  or  descent  of  the  ground,  and  if  they  are 
not  superlatively  good,  corns,  sand-crack,  thrush, 
founder,  broken  knees,  &c.,  one  or  all  of  them,  Avill  be 
sure  to  result. 

Horses  suitable  for  driving  in  light  carriages  are 
in  great  demand,  and  in  our  agricultural  fairs  are 
classed  as  Eoadsters.”  Pleasure-driving  has  become 
a national  amusement,  and  one  for  which  a growdng 
passion  is  to  be  noticed  among  all  classes  of  our  citi- 
zens. 

This  may  undoubtedly  be  partly  attributed  to  the 
easy  circumstances  of  our  tradesmen  and  mechanics, 
enabling  most  of  them  to  indulge  in  sports  and  amuse- 
ments involving  but  a moderate  expense,  such  for 
instance  as  the  keeping  of  a bird-dog  and  gun,  for  a 
few  days  recreation  in  the  summer,  and  in  the  luxury 
of  a fine  driving  horse,  with  which  they  give  their 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


51 


wives  and  cliildren  an  occasional  airing.  The  im- 
portance of  this  peculiarly  American  amusement  can 
hardly  be  over-estimated ; it  affords  a mode  of  recrea- 
tion both  for  the  mind  and  body,  of  tlie  most  pleasant 
and  useful  kind.  The  physician  recommends  it  to  the 
invalid  and  hypochondriac,  and  the  lovers  of  nature  and 
the  moralist  seek  it  as  their  favorite  mode  of  amuse- 
ment. It  performs  the  two-fold  office  of  strengthening 
the  body,  and  invigorating  the  mind. 

Who  has  not  felt  the  glow  of  pleasant  excitement, 
and  the  new  impulse  given  the  blood  in  his  veins,  by 
a short  drive  of  a few  miles,  after  a good  horse  ? Walk- 
ing is  by  no  means  a substitute  for  it — the  fact  of  the 
rapid  motion,  and  the  multiplicity  of  objects  met  and 
passed,  constantly  calling  our  attention  to  objects,  only 
to  be  left  again  for  others,  each  suggesting  thoughts  so 
fugitive  and  electrical,  gives  a relief  to  the  wearied 
faculties  Avhich  nothing  else  can  give. 

In  the  increase  of  the  population  of  our  country, 
there  is  of  course  a corresponding  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  mechanics  and  professional  men,  whose  business 
is  all  carried  on  within  the  walls  of  their  offices  and 
shops.  To  these,  Avho  form  a large  share  of  our  popu- 
lation, this  mode  of  exercise  is  most  pleasant  and 
healthy.  The  mechanic  and  merchant,  after  the  labors 
of  their  callings,  do  not  want  recreation  that  will  make 
new  draughts  upon  their  physical  energies,  but  that 
which  will  give  them  rest  at  the  same  time  that  it 
gives  them  entertainment — invigorating  them  as  well 
as  affording  relief  from  fatigue. 

Doctors  seem  well  agreed  that  any  exercise  taken 


52 


THE  MOEGAN  HORSE. 


for  one’s  health,  to  be  in  the  highest  degree  benefieial, 
must  be  entertaining. 

Hiding  always  has  an  interest  within  itself — the  ex- 
citement of  the  rapid  motion,  the  spirit  and  beauty  of 
the  horse,  the  persons  we  meet,  the  hills,  the  streams, 
the  trees,  all  give  a life  and  ecstasy  to  the  exercise,  that 
cheers  and  vivifies  even  the  invalid.  We  had  it  at 
our  pen’s  end  to  make  a few  remarks  on  the  import- 
ance of  this  exercise  for  ladies,  but  for  several  cogent 
reasons  have  determined  to  postpone  them  to  a more 
convenient  season.  First,  because  we  are  distrustful  of 
our  ability  to  throw  any  more  light  upon  this  veteran 
subject  Second,  we  fear  we  should  be  trespassing 
upon  ground  that  belongs  by  right  of  possession  to  the 
orthodox  lecturers  upon  the  subject  of  physical  culture ; 
and  thirdly,  we  firmly  believe  that  the  announcement 
of  such  an  intention  would  cause  four-fifths  of  our 
readers  to  skip  the  rest  of  this  chapter,  which  we  intend 
shall  yet  contain  some  important  matter. 

In  addition  to  the  amusement  that  our  citizens  derive 
from  their  fine  horses,  and  light  buggies,  most  of  them 
make  their  horses  useful  in  a variety  of  ways.  The 
merchant  of  moderate  means  often  keeps  him  con- 
stantly employed  in  delivering  packages  of  goods  to 
his  customers,  moving  his  wares  from  the  railroad 
depot  to  his  store,  and  often  driving  him  into  the  coun- 
try collecting  his  accounts,  and  visiting  hisj^ustomers. 
Mechanics  find  him  useful  in  a variety  of  ways.  In 
the  prosecution  of  their  trades,  many  of  them  are  often 
called  to  practice  their  art  at  places  distant  from  their 
shops,  and  but  for  their  horse  the  time  that  would  be 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


53 


necessarily  occupied  in  going  and  returning  on  foot, 
would,  in  many  instances,  prevent  their  attending  such 
orders,  or  they  would  do  so  at  little  profit.  The  me- 
chanic, too,  has  a great  variety  of  materials  to  move 
to  l)is  shop,  and  from  his  shop  to  his  customers,  and 
very  many  similar  services,  or  chores,  that  his  driv- 
ing horse  can  do,  not  only  without  injury,  but  with 
very  decided  benefit.  To  any  housekeeper,  how 
many  small  sums  that  would  otherwise  be  paid  for 
omnibus-fare,  to  truckmen,  expressmen  and  porters, 
may  be  saved  by  keeping  a good  driving  horse. 
We  do  not  wish  it  to  be  inferred  that,  considered 
only  as  a matter  of  economy,  we  think  it  would  be 
profitable  for  every  family  to  keep  a horse,  for  the 
sole  purpose  of  performing  these  small  services;  we 
wish  merely  to  show  how  any  family  can  indulge 
in  the  luxury  of  keeping  a good  horse,  at  a far  less 
actual  expense  than  might  at  first  seem  necessary. 

To  the  butcher  and  the  baker,  a good  horse  is  indis- 
pensable to  the  transaction  of  their  daily  business ; and 
though  it  would  seem  that  the  butcher’s  horse  might, 
without  detracting  from  his  usefulness,  be  a little 
straighter  in  the  shoulder,  a little  duller  in  his  paces, 
and  a little  heavier  in  the  forehand,  than  would  be 
desirable  in  the  light  driving  horse,  yet  the  butcher 
thinks  very  differently;  in  fact,  there  seems  to  be  a 
perfect  passion  among  this  class  of  tradesmen  for  a 
high-headed,  smooth-stepping,  and  fast-going  horse; 
indeed,  so  great  is  the  emulation  between  them,  that 
they  will  often  incur  great  expense  to  obtain  a “crack 
goer.”  It  is  a common  saying,  that  “ a butcher  always 
drives  a trotter,”  and  many  a fast  young  man,  just 


54 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


commencing  liis  explorations  in  the  direction  of  Por- 
ter’s, Brighton,  or  the  country  beyond  the  head  of 
Third  Avenue,  who  has  pulled  out  his  nag  with  the 
utmost  confidence  to  pass  a lumbering  butcher’s  wagon, 
has  discovered  to  his  mortification  that  they  were  not 
the  safest  kind  of  cattle  to  “challenge  for  a brush.” 

We  think  the  horse  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the 
merchant  and  mechanic,  may  be  fairly  considered  a 
good  type  of  the  “horse  of  all  work,”  or  business 
horse. 

Before  proceeding  to  describe  what  we  consider 
should  be  the  distinguishing  characteristics  of  such 
animals,  let  us  fully  understand  what  is  meant  by  the 
term  “horse  of  all  work,”  since  it  has  come  into  very 
general  use,  and  is  frequently  used  by  Agricultural 
Societies  in  this  country  to  denote  a class  of  horses. 
By  this  term  we  understand  that  kind  of  horse  which  is 
best  adapted  to  general  use — to  work  on  a farm,  to  go 
to  mill,  or  to  meeting,  to  haul  a coach,  or  a buggy,  to 
work  in  the  field,  or  go  a journey.  This  is  certainly 
the  natural  meaning,  and  we 'should  not  have  thought 
any  explanation  necessary,  had  it  not  sometimes  been 
understood  to  mean ' such  a horse  as  is  best  fitted  for 
each  of  these  different  kinds  of  service. 

To  describe  fully  and  correctly,  all  the  qualities  that 
should  be  found  in  the  horse  of  all  work,  or  business 
horse,  requires  that  we  should  enter  somewhat  into 
details,  for  he  must  come  up  to  a given  standard  in  a 
greater  variety  of  points  than  tlie  horse  for  any  other 
service.  It  is  true,  that  many  of  his  good  qualities 
should  be  found  in  all  really  valuable  horses,  whatever 
be  the  service  to  wliich  they  are  put.  To  illustrate  our 


HOKSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


65 


meaning : tlie  good  business  borse  must  be  a fine 
roadster ; but  a fine  roadster  may  not  necessarily  be  a 
good  business  horse,  for  he  may  lack  that  docility  of 
temper,  that  quietness,  and  perfect  tractability,  that  the 
latter  should  invariably  possess. 

First  of  all,  the  business  horse  should  be  compact. 
Youatt  defines  compactness  to  be:  “as  much  goodness 
and  strength  as  possible  in  a little  space.”  Without 
this  he  cannot  have  endurance  and  hardiness  of  consti- 
tution. Kext  to  compactness  of  form,  he  should  have 
good  limbs — a little  larger  than  the  hunter’s,  but  the 
increased  size  should  be  in  bone  and  muscle,  and  not 
in  meat  or  hair.  The  limbs  should  be  short,  and  the 
fore  and  hind-legs  should  have  a proper  adaptation  to 
one  another;  that  is,  he  should  not  have  short  fore-legs 
and  long  hind-legs,  nor  should  he  have  short  hind-legs 
and  long  fore-legs,  as  there  should  be  little  difference  in 
the  height  of  the  hips  and  the  withers,  though  the 
withers  should  be  the  highest.  Horses  that  are  highest 
on  the  hips  labor  much  in  ascending  hills,  though 
on  level  or  descending  ground  they  may  have  greater 
speed,  but  they  are  very  liable  to  stumble,  and  are 
usually  low-headed  and  heavy  in  hand.  The  fore-legs, 
upon  which  mainly  depends  the  safety  and  ease  of  the 
animal’s  movements,  should  be  well  spread  at  the  chest, 
to  give  ample  room  for  the  full  development  and  action 
of  the  vital  organs.  Measured  at  the  chest,  they  should 
be  a little  wider  from  outside  to  outside  than  at  the  pas- 
terns; but  this  difference  should  be  owing  to  the  promi- 
nence of  the  muscle  of  the  fore-arm,  more  than  to  the 
general  inclination  of  the  legs  inward,  or  towards  each 
other.  This  general  inclination  of  the  fore-legs  towards 


56 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


eacli  other,  must  be  slight  and  barely  noticeable,  as  much 
deviation  from  the  perpendicular  is  a serious  defect. 
The  legs  must  be  straight,  bending  neither  outward  nor 
inward  at  the  knee,  for  all  horses  with  such  limbs  have 
imperfect  action,  are  inclined  to  cut  (or  interfere),  and 
travel  either  upon  the  inside  or  outside  of  the  foot.  The 
fore-arm  should  be  long,  and  viewed  from  the  side, 
should  be  wide  at  the  top,  tapering  gradually  to  the 
knee,  with  the  muscle  swelling  out  plump  and  full,  par- 
ticularly in  front.  The  knees  should  be  wide  and  flat, 
free  from  flesh,  clean  and  compact,  with  the  hinder-bone 
prominent.  The  knees  being  less  liable  to  injury  than 
the  hocks,  too  little  attention  is  generally  paid  to  their 
form,  and  provided  they  are  not  ‘‘  sprung,^’  the  purchaser 
is  generall}^  satisfied.  The  cannon  (or  the  bone  between 
the  knee  and  the  fetlock,)  should  be  short  and  free  from 
meat ; the  back  sinews  should  be  large  and  flinty,  and 
should  stand  w^ell  out  from  the  bone.  Viewed  from  the 
front,  the  legs  should  be  thin ; viewed  from  the  side,  they 
should  be  wide  and  sinewy.  The  contrary  formation,  or 
^‘tied  in  back  sinews,”  is  a very  serious  defect,  and  it  is 
almost  impossible  that  horses  with  this  conformation 
should  be  capable  of  great  endurance.  The  fetlock 
should  not  be  round,  but  rather  wide,  and  thicker  in 
front  than  behind.  The  pasterns  should  be  short,  not 
upright  nor  very  sloping,  for  if  upright,  the  joints  will 
be  liable  to  injury  from  the  concussion  attending  every 
step ; and  if,  on  the  other  hand,  long  and  sloping,  it 
denotes  weakness. 

Mr.  Hinds,  in  his  work  on  Farriery,  says:  Horses 

having  long  and  sloping  pasterns  soon  tire,  and  I may 
say  are  generally  weak,  having  the  flexor  tendon  or 


IIORSKS  MO.S'I^  SOrOJlT  FOR. 


57 


back  sinews  considerably  relaxed.”  It  is  impossible  to 
describe  exactly  what  should  be  the  length  and  slope 
of  the  pasterns.  In  horses  intended  for  very  fast  work 
the  pastern  should  be  moderately  long  and  sloping,  as 
it  gives  more  elasticity  to  the  step  and  ability  to  take  a 
long  stride.  Large  horses  should  have  more  sloping 
pasterns  than  smaller  ones,  as  their  greater  weight 
will  add  to  the  concussion  in  travelling.  The  hoof 
should  be  nearly  round,  open  at  the  heel,  smooth  and 
hard,  but  not  brittle,  without  any  bunches  or  depres- 
sions in  front,  or  at  the  quarters ; should  be  straight  in 
front  from  the  hair  to  the  toe,  and  not  be  too  high 
behind. 

The  shoulders  should  be  long  and  oblique,  thin 
and  flat  at  the  withers,  the  point  pretty  low  and  well 
forward.  They  can  hardly  be  too  oblique  for  the 
road  horse,  and  are  not  objectionable  except  when  the 
horse  is  wanted  for  heavy  and  constant  draught.  The 
hips  should  be  long,  wide  and  muscular,  the  croup  a 
little  sloping,  the  quarters  full,  wide  at  the  stifle,  the 
stifle-joint  well  forward,  and  the  muscles  of  the  thigh 
should  continue  plump  and  full,  well  down  to  the  hock. 
The  hock  should  be  wide,  short,  free  from  all  lumps, 
the  muscles  connected  with  it  clearly  defined,  and  the 
point  should  be  long.  Below  the  hock,  the  hind-legs 
should  resemble  the  foredegs;  they  should  descend 
perpendicularly,  and  the  hocks  should  not  be  nearer 
together  tlian  the  fetlocks ; it  is  less  objectionable  to 
have  the  fetlocks  nearer  together  than  the  hocks,  but 
the  nearer  they  approach  the  perpendicular  the  better. 

With  such  formed  shoulders  as  we  have  described, 
the  neck  will  almost  invariably  be  well-placed,  and  the 


58 


THE  MOllGAN  IIOHSE. 


head  carried  high.  The  neck  should  be  of  moderate 
length,  tapering  well  towards  the  head,  slightly  crown- 
ing on  top,  and  very  slightly  curved  underneath.  On 
such  shaped  necks,  the  head  is  almost  invariably  well 
placed,  with  the  muzzle  neither  too  high,  nor  too  low, 
not  too  much  projected  forward,  nor  too  much  drawn 
in  towards  the  chest.  When  the  neck  is  very  short, 
the  horse  is  apt  to  be  heavy  in  hand,  and  want  sensi- 
tiveness to  the  rein ; it  also  gives  tlie  animal  an  awkward 
and  uncouth  appearance.  The  head  should  be  small, 
lean,  and  tapering  rapidly  from  the  jowls  to  the  muzzle; 
the  jowls  should  be  thin,  but  muscular,  and  the  jaws 
well  apart.  The  profile  should  be  straight,  neither 
‘‘hollow-faced”  or  “Eoman  nosed” — both  are  unsightly, 
and  the  Eoman  nosed  horse  rarely  has  a good  nostril ; 
the  forehead  should  be  long  and  broad,  the  muzzle 
thin,  the  lips  small  and  firm,  and  the  nostril  full  and 
prominent,  showing  a bright  red  membrane  on  the 
inside.  But  the  eye  and  ear  are  the  most  important 
features  of  the  head,  and  it  is  from  these  chiefly  that 
we  form  our  opinion  of  the  horse’s  temper  and  disposi- 
tion. The  C3^es  should  be  placed  wide  apart,  should 
be  full,  large,  and  prominent,  with  an  expression  which 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  describe,  for  it  is  susceptible 
of  almost  as  many  different  shades  as  the  eye  of  man. 
It  should  be  roving,  bold,  and  eager,  but  mild  and 
pleasant ; the  lids  should  be  well  open  when  at  rest,  for 
horses  who  keep  the  lids  partly  closed  will  generally  be 
found  dull  in  their  paces,  and  sullen  in  their  tempers. 
The  ears  should  be  small,  clean,  free  from  many  long 
hairs  on  the  inside,  be  thin  and  upright,  and  have  a 
fine  taper  from  the  root  to  the  tip,  which  should  be 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


59 


pointed  and  turned  a little  inward.  It  is  not  a serious 
objection  that  they  are  a little  large,  provided  they  are 
upright,  fine  and  lively,  Tliey  should  set  well  apart 
but  not  very  wide,  for  when  close  together  they  indi- 
cate a timid  and  skittish  disposition,  and  when  very 
wide,  they  are  generally  thought  to  indicate  a sluggish 
and  stubborn  temper;  besides  this  objection,  when  very 
wide  apart,  they  set  so  much  on  the  side  of  the  head 
that  they  appear  unsighti}^,  being,  inclined  to  lean  out 
and  become  lop-eared.”  The  back  should  be  short 
and  nearly  straight,  the  withers  high  and  thin ; the  body 
should  be  deep  at  the  shoulder,  the  barrel  round,  the 
ribs  starting  from  the  back-bone  in  a direction  nearly 
horizontal,  forming  what  is  called  a broad  back ; the 
back  and  hips  should  be  well  joined  or  coupled;  there 
should  be  no  depression  just  forward  of  the  hip-bones, 
but  it  should  keep  up  plump  and  full ; the  loins  should 
be  wide  and  muscular,  and  the  hindermost  rib  should 
come  out  near  to  the  hip-bone,  such  horses  being  called 
well-ribbed  up,”  The  flanks  should  be  deep  and  full. 
The  mane  should  be  pretty  long  and  thick,  but  not  so 
long  and  thick  as  to  appear  heavy.  The  tail  should 
be  fiill,  heavy,  and  carried  well  up.  He  should  be  be- 
tween fourteen  and  a half,  and  fifteen  and  a half  hands 
high — rather  a little  under  than  much  above  this  height, 
and  should  weigh  about  ten  hundred  and  fifty  pounds ; 
his  hair  should  be  short,  soft  and  glossy. 

Such  an  animal,  we  should  expect^  would  prove  him- 
self a fine  roadster ; but  we  might  be  disappointed,  for 
though  we  think  it  cannot  be  successfully  denied,  that 
such  a form  as  we  have  described  would  be  well  adapted 


60 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


for  easy  motion,  and  endurance  on  the  road ; yet  he 
might  not,  after  all,  have  the  requisite  courage  and 
nervous  energy ; he  might  take  up  his  feet  too  high 
and  put  them  down  with  a sort  of  thrust,  which  requires 
a great  and  useless  expenditure  of  muscular  exertion, 
besides  wearying  the  whole  system  by  the  constant  and 
unnecessary  j ar ; or  he  might  have  some  other  awkward- 
ness of  gait  that  would  prove  a serious  objection.  Nor 
can  we  always  judge  correctly  of  a horse's  courage  and 
spirit  from  the  closest  examination,  without  a trial  of 
his  powers. 

An  English  writer,  in  speaking  of  this  matter,  says: 
Equally  true  is  it,  that  after  we  have  approved  of  the 
proportions  of  a pair  of  horses,  in  respect  to  bone  and 
build,  certain  powers  of  lastingness  are  frequently  dis- 
covered to  be  possessed  by  one  so  much  beyond  his 
mate,  that  we  are  compelled  to  admit  these  powers  do 
reside  in  something  else  than  his  build.”  So  true, 
indeed,  is  it  that  the  power  of  endurance — the  courage 
that  never  flinches  while  a breath  can  be  drawn — cannot 
always  be  discovered  except  by  actual  trial,  that  some 
of  those  horses  which  have  performed  the  most  aston- 
ishing feats  on  record,  were  passed  for  years  by  the  best 
horsemen  as  animals  possessed  of  no  extraordinary 
powers.  The  great  Eclipse,  whose  very  name  is  used 
as  synonymous  with  greatest  speed  and  endurance,  was 
cast  by  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  when  a colt,  on  ac- 
count of  his  apparent  deformity,  and  was  sold  by  him 
for  forty-five  guineas.  In  addition  to  his  apparent 
deformity,  he  was  a thick- winded  horse,  or  in  other 
words,  a roarer.”  Yet  in  four-mile  races  he  distanced. 


HORSES  MOST  SOUGHT  FOR. 


61 


with  the  greatest  ease,  the  finest  horses  upon  the  English 
turf.  Our  description,  therefore,  would  be  incomplete, 
without  describing  his  gait  and  temper. 

In  harness,  when  the  reins  are  taken  up,  and  he  is 
told  to  go  (he  should  not  start  before),  he  should  raise 
his  head  a little  above  its  position  when  at  rest,  keep  it 
there  steadily  and  quietly,  and  move  off  nimbly,  with 
a light,  but  steady,  and  yielding  pressure  upon  the  bit. 
His  feet  should  be  raised  only  enough  to  clear  the  ordi- 
nary inequalities  of  the  ground,  carried  well  forward 
in  straight  lines,  swinging  neither  out  nor  in,  and  be 
set  down  evenly,  so  that  the  entire  sole  comes  upon  the 
ground  at  the  same  time.  If  the  heel  is  set  down  first, 
it  is  liable  to  injury  from  the  tenderness  of  the  parts ; 
and  if  the  toe  is  set  down  first,  the  horse  will  almost 
always  prove  a stumbler.  The  fore-legs  should  bend 
well  at  the  knee,  instead  of  the  legs  being  raised  prin- 
cipally by  the  movement  of  the  shoulder-joint,  and  the 
leg  carried  stiffly  forv/ard,  causing  an  unsteadiness  of 
motion  and  a sort  of  rolling  from  side  to  side.  The 
hind-legs  should  take  up  light  and  quick,  be  carried 
well  forward  under  the  body,  and  should  have  a pecu- 
liar, nervous,  springy  ‘^pick-up,”  but  without  any 
hitching,  or  twitching  of  the  muscles  of  the  haunches. 
The  step  should  not  be  long,  and  yet  it  may  be  too 
short;  observation  can  alone  determine  when  this  is 
right.  This  much  is  certain,  that  when  there  is  an  ap- 
parent effort  to  reach  the  full  length  of  his  step,  it  is  too 
long ; and  when  there  is  any  cutting  off  of  the  natural 
stride,  as  is  the  case  with  the  foundered  horse,  it  is  too 
short. 

Of  color,  we  shall  only  say,  that  he  should  have  some 


62 


TUK  MORGAN  HOKSE. 


dark  coior,  for  tins  is  so  entirely  a matter  of  taste  tliat 
any  remarks  we  might  offer  would,  after  all,  be  little 
more  than  an  assertion  of  our  own  preference,  and  we 
have  sometimes  been  inclined  to  adopt  the  creed  of  a 
thorough  horseman  of  our  acquaintance,  which  is,  that 
‘‘a  good  horse  is  always  of  a good  color.” 

Such  a horse  as  we  have  attempted  to  describe,  we 
feel  the  greatest  confidence  in  asserting,  will  prove  ad- 
mirably adapted  to  all  ordinary  kinds  of  service.  When 
used  upon  the  road,  he  moves  off  easily,  quietly,  and 
freely,  without  the  least  disposition  to  fret,  at  a lively 
pace,  on  a pleasant  rein ; but  when  roused  a trifle  by 
an  increased  pull  upon  the  bit,  and  an  urging  word,  his 
head  raises  higher,  his  eye  dilates,  and  he  is  at  once  a 
full  hand  for  the  best  horseman  ; the  taller,  more  open 
built,  and  longer  horse,  with  a long,  reaching  stride, 
may  easily  dash  by  him  at  the  first  start  in  the  morning, 
but  if  their  course  is  the  same,  and  the  journey  be  con- 
tinued for  a day  or  a week,  he  will  have  ample  oppor- 
tunity to  renew  the  acquaintance.  Such  horses  will  bo 
hardy,  rarely  affected  with  any  complaint,  easily  kept 
in  good  condition,  will  be  always  ready  for  use,  and 
easily  taught  to  perform  almost  any  kind  of  service, 
with  ease  to  themselves,  and  pleasure  to  their  owners. 


CHAPTEE  IV. 


PECULIAR  ADAPTATION  OF  THE  MORGAN  HORSE  TO  THE  ROAD  AND 
GENERAL  USE. 

In  the  foregoing  chapter  we  have  endeavored  to  de- 
scribe what  we  considered  should  be  the  form  and  char- 
acteristics of  the  business  horse,  or  horse  of  all  work. 
Assuming  that  the  reader  is  satisfied  with  the  general 
soundness  of  the  views  there  expressed,  we  now  proceed 
to  compare  the  Morgan  horse  with  the  standard  of  ex- 
cellence we  have  there  set  up.  First,  as  to  compactness  of 
form : This  we  have  considered  a primary  and  indispens- 
able requisite  in  the  business  hors^,  and  in  this  respect 
the  Morgan  particularly  excels ; his  body  is  not  remark- 
ably long,  but  round  and  deep  at  the  chest,  the  quarters 
large  and  full,  the  shoulders  and  hips  well  shaped,  the 
loins  wide  and  muscular,  the  flanks  deep,  and  the  whole 
form  swelling  with  muscle  and  life. 

There  is  not  a single  feature  of  his  frame  but  gives 
unmistakable  evidence  of  his  vigorous  health,  and  iron 
constitution ; and  though  he  has  been,  and  is  still,  prin- 
cipally  bred  in  the  States  of  Vermont  and  New  Hamp- 
shire— States  that  are  notoriously  hilly  and  mountain- 
ous, and  \vhere  consequently  every  description  of  work 
to  which  he  is  put  is  more  than  ordinarily  laborious — 
yet  he  is  remarkably  long-lived,  and  in  his  age  retains 
his  spirit  and  vigor. 


(63) 


64 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Still  another  evidence  of  the  soundness  of  his  con- 
stitution is  found  in  his  almost  universal  freedom  from 
every  species  of  disease.  Before  railroads  had  taken  the 
place  of  the  stages,  a great  many  of  these  horses  could 
be  found  in  various  parts  of  New  England  that  had 
been  running  for  several  years  before  a mail-coach,  yet 
were  perfectly  sound,  in  vigorous  health,  and  still  as 
free  in  spirit  as  when  first  broken  to  harness.  We 
have  seen  them  running  daily  in  the  stage  in  fine  con- 
dition when  twenty  years  old,  making  daily  trips  of 
sixteen  miles  each  in  two  hours,  over  a broken  and 
mountainous  country. 

A single  instance  will  illustrate  both  their  endurance 
and  style  of  going.  A few  years  since,  late  in  the 
month  of  September,  in  company  with  several  gentle- 
men, we  made  a trip  to  the  White  Mountains.  Having 
made  the  customary  examinations  in  the  orthodox  way, 
we  arrived  late  one  evening  at  the  Franconia  Notch 
House.”  Here  we  learned  that  the  stage  would  leave 
for  St.  Johnsbury  the  following  morning  on  its  last 
trip  of  the  season. 

This  being  the  route  we  proposed  to  take,  we  en- 
gaged our  seats,  and  the  following  morning  about  9 
o’clock,  six  good-sized  individuals  (besides  the  driver), 
with  our  baggage,  were  stowed  away  in  a snug,  rugged 
looking  stage-wagon,  to  which  was  attached  a pair  of 
horses  of  medium  size. 

The  near  horse  was  of  a deep  chestnut  color,  about 
fourteen  and  a half  hands  high,  very  closely  and  com- 
pactly made,  with  clean,  small  head,  and  exceedingly 
small  ears,  set  pretty  wide  apart,  but  very  lively  and 
active.  The  other  animal  was  a gray  mare  of  about 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC. 


65 


the  same  weight,  but  at  lea-t  lialf  a hand  higlier.  SI  e 
had  a fine  long  hip,  and  a good  hind  leg,  her  shoulders 
were  well  shaped,  better  at  the  with  rs  than  the  horse, 
and  she  was  on  the  whole  a very  fair  animal,  although 
her  general  muscular  development  was  decidedly  in- 
ferior to  that  of  her  mate. 

We  all  objected  to  starting  with  so  small  a team 
over  the  hilly  country  we  knew  we  had  to  cross ; but 
these  remonstrances  availing  nothing,  my  companion 
and  I,  who  occupied  the  front  seat,  fell  to  discussing 
the  chances  of  getting  on  with  our  infant  team,”  as 
he  called  it,  and  from  this  to  discussing  the  relative 
merits  of  our  nags.  . The  mare  was  restive,  eager  and 
impatient,  and  my  friend  declared  with  great  confi- 
dence that  all  horse-flesh  of  her  dimensions  could  do, 
she  would. 

My  own  fancy  had  been  taken  by  the  full,  brilliant, 
but  pleasant  eyes,  that  stood  out  large  and  full,  the 
ever-restless  ears,  and  the  strong  muscular  loins  and 
quarters  of  the  chestnut.  Accordingly  I proposed  to 
“back  the  horse,”  much  to  the  amusement  of  most  of 
the  party.  Our  driver,  after  several  “false  starts”  from 
the  bar-room,  finally  took  up  the  reins  and  “gave 
them  the  word.”  ^ 

The  mare  dashed  ahead  as  if  she  would  pull  the 
driver  from  his  seat.  The  horse  struck  out  with  a 
short,  nervous  step,  but  did  not  seem  much  inclined  to 
pull,  or  move  at  any  but  a moderate  pace.  The  mare 
took  us  along  over  the  first  half  mile  almost  entirely 
by  the  bit,  and  my  companions  had  a hearty  laugh  at 
my  ^chestnut  horse. 

A half  hour  passed,  and  with  it  some  five  miles  of 


66 


THE  MORGAlsr  HORSE. 


our  road.  ’ By  this  time  ^‘bets  were  not  so  freely 
offered  on  the  mare she  had  fallen  off  in  her  pace, 
prespired  freely,  moved  unsteadily,  and  every  few 
moments  gave  her  head  a toss  that  plainly  told  she 
was  beginning  to  lose  her  relish  for  the  work.  The  day 
was  hot.  The  horse  had  worked  more  freely  as  he 
grew  warm,  but  not  a muscle  moved — save  those  of 
his  ears — which  was  not  indispensably  necessary  to 
give  him  motion.  Thus  we  kept  on  for  about  twelve 
or  fourteen  miles  to  the  end  of  the  first  stage,  the  mare 
fully  satisfied,  and  panting  with  heat  and  exertion. 
Here  we  were  to  have  a fresh  team,  but  one  of  them 
being  very  lame  from  a sprain,  the  driver  put  in  only 
one,  and  drove  the  chestnut  through  to  St.  Johnsbury. 

This  seemed  pretty  hard,  but  the  horse  did  not  appear 
to  mind  it  in  the  least,  and  up  the  long  hill  as  we 
entered  St.  Johnsbury  he  pressed  on  at  the  same  short, 
nervous  trot  he  had  kept  alntost  the  entire  way.  As 
we  stepped  out  at  the  hotel  we  all  took  a good  look  at 
him.  His  general  appearance  was  that  of  a horse 
about  ten  years  old,  but  what  was  our  surprise  when 

upon  speaking  of  him  to  my  friend  Dr.  S , we 

learned  that  he  was  one  of  Sherman’s  sons,  eighteen 
years  old,  and  had  been  running  constantly  nearly 
eleven  y-ears  in  a stage  team. ' 

The  limbs  of  the  Morgans  are  large  in  proportion 
to  the  size  of  the  animal,  but  they  are  free  from  meat, 
remarkably  wide,  flat,  and  sinewy,  with  the  back  sinews 
standing  well  out  from  the  bone.  The  joints  are  very 
close,  the  pasterns  short,  the  feet  rather  small,  but 
almost  invariably  excellent.  A good  many  of  them 
have  considerable  long  hair  about  the  legs,  and  this 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  67 

we  do  not  like,  as  it  detracts  from  the  beauty  of  the 
animal,  and  retains  tlie  moisture  about  the  limbs  longer 
after  the  animal  has  been  exposed  to  the  wet.  True, 
if  carefully  groomed,  they  will  not  be  left  wet,  but  it 
is  a melancholy  fact  that  grooms  are  not  always  thus 
careful.  Where  the  limbs  are  otherwise  unexception- 
able, we  do  not  consider  this  a very  serious  objection, 
especially  in  horses  whose  legs  are  short,  the  vital 
energy  great,  and  the  circulation  consequently  good. 

The  shoulders  are  large  and  muscular,  the  blade  slop- 
ing well  back,  the  point  low  and  well  formed,  and  the 
breast  broad,  giving  a deep,  wide,  roomy  chest.  The 
hips  are  long,  deep,  and  wide,  the  loins  are  broad  and 
full,  the  thighs  plump  and  sinewy,  the  muscle  extend- 
ed large  and  hard  well  down  to  the  hock.  The  neck 
is  rarely  very  long,  and  sometimes  hardly  as  long  as  we 
should  like  to  see  it,  though  many  excellent  judges  dis- 
agree with  us  in  this  respect,  claiming  that  the  neck 
being  barely  long  enough  to  make  the  animal  pleasant  in 
hand,  not  another  ounce  should  be  added,  because  it  is 
only  an  unnecessary  weight  that  must  be  carried,  with- 
out contributing  anything  towards  the  power  of  motion. 

To  a certain  extent  this  is  undoubtedly  true,  but  we 
place  so  high  an  estimate  upon  a good  and  sensitive 
mouth,  that  we  should  prefer  to  have  the  neck  a trifle 
too  long,  rather  than  have  the  animal  heavy  in  hand. 
Still  it  must  be  admitted  that  heaviness  in  hand  is  a 
very  rare  fault  with  this  class  of  horses. 

However  horsemen  may  differ  as  to  the  perfection 
or  imperfection  of  the  neck,  there  can  be  no  sort  of 
question  as  to  the  head,  which  can  be  found  as  fine  and 
beautiful  in  no  other  breed  of  horses  except  the 


68 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


thoroRgli-bred  or  Arabian.  Some  difference  of  opinion 
exists  among  horsemen  as  to  the  size  of  the  head,  but 
we  think  it  is  now  the  generally  received  opinion  that 
the  head  should  be  small,  and  all  agree  that  it  should 
be  lean  below  the  jowls.  The  first  injunction  given 
to  the  purchasers  of  horses  for  the  French  cavalry,  is  to 
“ see  if  he  has  a small  head,”  while  Mr.  Hinds  com- 
mends the  “ Englishman’s  long-accepted  description  of 
a good  horse,  and  nothing  else,”  thus:  “His  head 

ought  to  be  lean,  of  good  size,  and  long.” 

• The  Morgan  has  a small,  lean  head,  broad  between 
the  eyes,  which  are  prominent,  bold,  lively  and  pleasant, 
full  of  spirit  and  courage,  yet  mild,  giving  evidence 
of  a temper  at  once  spirited  and  tractable.  The  ears 
are  small  and  well  shaped,  set  rather  wide  apart,  but 
are  delicate  and  lively. 

The  back  is  short  and  broad,  the  hips  well  coupled, 
the  loins  wide,  and  displaying  on  each  side  masses  of 
firm,  unyielding  muscle,  which  will  satisfy  the  horse- 
man of  his  ability  to  carry  weight  and  endure  fatigue. 
Just  behind  the  withers  the  back  is  often  a little  de- 
pressed, and  individuals  are  occasionally  met  with,  in 
which  the  depression  is  sufficient  to  warrant  their  being 
called  hollow  or  sway -backed.  This  must,  by  no  means 
be  considered  a characteristic,  many  families  being 
entirely  free  from  it,  and  where  it  is  found  it  is  usually 
very  slight. 

Where  the  back  is  very  hollow  we  think  it  decidedly 
objectionable;  but  for  many  purposes  we  think  a slight 
inclination  to  sway-back  may  be  no  disadvantage,  espe- 
cially where  the  loins  are  good.  Youatt  evidently 
considers  it  a far  less  serious  objection  than  a tendency 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC. 


69 


to  the  opposite  formation  or  “ roach-back.”  This  in- 
clination to  hollow  back,  where  it  occurs,  is  so  slight, 
and  is  so  far  from  being  a characteristic  of  the  family, 
that  it  would  hardly  be  deserving  of  notice  were  it  not 
for  the  fact  that  it  has  been  sometimes  magnified  into 
a universal,  and  of  course,  hereditary  defect. 

The  origin  of  this  mistaken  notion  may  be  easily 
discovered.  These  horses  have  been  bred  in  a portion 
of  the  country  that,  until  within  the  last  few  years, 
was  little  visited  by  travellers,  and  they  were  little 
known  to  horsemen  abroad,  except  by  reports  of  per- 
sons who  had  visited  the  country,  and  seen  the  ances- 
tors of  the  family.  All  the  early  stallions  of  the  breed 
lived  to  a great  age,  and  it  was  not  until  their  youth 
was  passed,  and  a numerous  progeny  had  borne  testi- 
mony to  their  excellence,  that  they  became  objects  of 
interest  to  visitors  from  abroad.  These  horses,  no 
doubt,  exhibited  at  an  advanced  age  an  appearance  of 
‘‘hollow-back,”  and  due  allowance  was  not  often  made 
for  the  advanced  age  of  the  animal ; for  although  well 
known  to  most  breeders,  it  is  a fact  not  equally  patent 
to  a large  proportion  of  those  who  have  a good  eye 
and  taste  for  a fine  horse,  that  old  stallions  are  almost 
always  defective  in  this  respect.  The  loins  and  back 
of  the  horse,  as  of  the  dog,  are  the  first  points  to  show 
signs  of  failing  in  his  old  age.  Another  objection  that 
may  in  some  instances  be  properly  urged  against  indi- 
vidual members  of  this  breed,  has,  by  interested  per- 
sons, been  magnified  into  a characteristic  trait,  and  that 
is  that  they  are  too  low  on  the  withers.  This  is  so  far 
from  being  the  fact  that  the  opposite  is  the  usual  for- 
mation in  this  breed,  and  the  great  rise  of  the  withers 


70 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


and  crest,  is  certainly  one  of  the  striking  points  of  the 
horse  at  first  glance,  but  the  withers  are  not  always  as 
thin  as  we  should  like.  High,  thin,  fine  shaped  with- 
ers, is  one  of  the  rarest  excellencies  in  the  horse,  and 
no  breed  or  family  can  justly  lay  claim  to  anything 
like  universal  excellence  in  this  particular.  The  rea- 
son for  this  may  perhaps  be  found  in  the  fact,  that  less 
attention  is  paid  by  breeders  to  this  point,  as  it  is  far 
less  important  than  many  others.  Though  excellence 
in  this  point  undoubtedly  assists  to  give  the  horse  easy 
and  safe  action,  yet  the  race-horse  is  very  often  defec- 
tive in  this  respect.  Eclipse  was  remarkable  for  his 
extremely  low  shoulders,  and  many  other  horses  distin- 
guished for  their  performances  on  the  turf,  have  exhib- 
ited the  same  defect.  The  mane  and  tail  of  Morgan 
horses  are  sometimes  heavy,  and  often  curly,  but  in 
most  cases  they  are  only  moderately  so.  The  general 
color  of  these  horses  has  been  much  mistaken  by  those 
who  are  but  slightly  acquainted  with  them.  It  has 
often  been  supposed,  and  is  by  many  believed  to  this 
day,  that  all  genuine  Morgans  are  bay,  with  black  legs, 
manes,  and  tails.  So  far  is  this  from  being  true,  that  it 
is  extremely  doubtful  if  bay  be  the  prevailing  color, 
chestnut  being,  we  believe,  quite  as  often  met  with. 

Bay,  chestnut,  brown  and  black,  are  almost  the  only 
colors,  the  latter  being  quite  uncommon,  and  with  few 
exceptions,  confined  to  the  Black  Hawk  family.  Gray 
or  buckskin  is  very  rarely  seen,  and  is  a pretty  sure 
indication  that  what  Morgan  blood  the  animal  has,  has 
been  derived  through  only  one  branch  of  the  parent 
stock. 

The  average  height  of  Morgan  horses  may  be  stated 


ADAPi'ATION  TO  THE  HOAD,  ETC. 


71 


at  from  fourteen,  to  fifteen  and  a half  hands.  There  are 
a fevY  that  will  fall  below  fourteen  hands,  but  the  num- 
ber is  very  small,  and  there  are  also  some  that  will  ex- 
ceed fifteen  and  a half  hands,  but  it  is  by  no  means  com- 
mon, and  in  such  cases  it  will  generally  be  found,  that 
the  animal  has  but  a small  amount  of  Morgan  blood. 
Their  weight  may  be  stated  to  range  from  nine  hun- 
dred, to  eleven  hundred  pounds,  the  usual  weight 
being  about  one  thousand ; ' any  great  deviation  from 
this  weight  should  induce  the  suspicion  of  a large  in- 
fusion of  other  blood,  although  exceptions  may,  and 
doubtless  do  occur,  in  the  case  of  animals  that  can  show 
a good  pedigree ; still  they  must  be  considered  as  the 
exceptions  to  the  rule,  and  not  the  rule  itself.  The  hair 
of  the  Morgan  is  almost  invariably  fine  and  soft,  though 
in  some  instances  a little  long.  In  the  fineness  and 
softness  of  their  coats,  they  resemble  the  thorough-bred, 
though  it  is  generally  thicker. 

In  describing  the  temper,  and  style  of  action  of  these 
horses,  we  can  say  but  little  more  than  that  they  come 
fully  up  to  our  standard  in  this  respect,  with  this  ex- 
ception, that  they  may  sometimes  have  more  fire  and 
impetuosity,  than  we  think  is  desirable  in  the  business 
horse,”  btit  such  generally  make  very  superior  road- 
sters under  proper  management  and  good  driving. 

These  horses  having  now  been  scattered  a good  deal 
in  the  Northern  and  Western  States,  fair  specimens  of 
the  race  may  generally  be  seen  at  any  of  the  State  ag- 
ricultural fairs,  and  the  truth  of  our  remarks  can  be 
verified  so  far  as  they  relate  to  form,  and  style  of  mov- 
ing. Much  may  also  be  determined  on  seeing  them, 
as  to  their  temper,  and  “ lastingness;”  but  as  it  requires 


72 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


more  than  a short  examination  to  determine  conclu- 
sively an  animal’s  temper,  courage  and  endurance,  and 
as  there  are  many  who  will  have  no  opportunity  of 
seeing  specimens  of  the  breed,  we  will  not  leave  the 
truth  of  our  remarks  to  depend  upon  our  own  “ dic- 
tum,” but  will  introduce  some  evidence  in  support  of 
our  positions,  consisting  of  extracts  from  writers  whose 
authority  upon  this  subject  cannot  be  called  in  ques- 
tion. This  is  rendered  the  more  necessary  from  the 
account  of  “Morgan  Horses,”  published  in  a late  edi- 
tion of  Youatt,  to  which  is  prefixed  an  account  of  the 
breeds  of  horses  in  the  United  States,  by  H.  S.  Ean- 
dall.  With  this  account  there  is  published  a very  fair 
likeness  of  “General  Gifford,”  as  a representative  of 
the  race.  The  figure  of  the  General  Gifford,  we  admit, 
is  a fair  representative  of  the  race,  though  equalled,  if 
not  excelled,  by  many  others.  As  what  the  compiler 
says  is  very  short,  we  extract  it  in  full : 

“ Of  this  celebrated  American  variety  or  family  of 
horses,  the  writer  of  this  possesses  little  knowledge  de  ^ 
rived  from  personal  experience.  That  they  have  obtain- 
ed much  celebrity  as  light  buggy  and  saddle  horses, — 
attracted  much  notice  and  admiration  at  the  New  York 
State  Fairs  from  their  remarkably  spirited  action  and 
evident  docility,  — sold  for  high  prices,  not  only  for  the 
saddle  and  buggy,  but  as  stallions  to  extend  the  breed, — 
is  certain.  They  have  many  warm  admirers,  and  find 
ready  purchasers.  Others,  on  the  contrary,  are  dis- 
posed to  concede  to  them  no  uncommon  value  as  a 
family,  as  will  be  seen  by  some  quotations  which  we 
shall  presently  make.”  Then  follows  a letter  from 
Burlington,  Vt.,  relative  to  the  origin  of  the  Morgan 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  73 

horse,  without  a single  word  as  to  his  value,  or  good 
qualities,  the  sole  object  of  the  writer  being  to  give  an 
account  of  his  origin.  The  compiler  then  gives  an  ex- 
tract from  the  Eeport  of  the  Committee  of  the  New  Y ork 
State  Agricultural  Fair,  held  at  Auburn  in  1846,  in 
which  they  say  of  the  two  stallions  there  exhibited,  one 
being  the  General  Gifford,  and  the  other  his  sire,  the 
Gifford  Morgan : “Their  action  attracted  the  marked 
admiration  of  all.  This  breed  are  reported  to  possess 
great  bottom  and  hardiness,  and  everything  about  the 
two  presented,  goes  to  prove  that  their  reputation  in 
this  particular  is  well  founded.’’  Then  follows  a letter 
which  the  compiler  says  is  from  “ a distinguished  judge 
of  horses  in  Vermont.”  In  view  of  the  extraordinary 
character  of  this  letter,  we  extract  it  entire  : 

“ The  original  Morgan  ought  not  to  be  pronounced  a 
thorough-bred  horse,  not  having  been  bred  from  a full 
blood  mare.  Yet  it  is  evident  that  the  rich,  high  blood 
from  which  he  sprung,  though  slightly  diluted,  is  the 
cause  of  the  reputation  to  which  his  stock  has  attained. 
But  when  we  trace  down  his  stock,  we  find  in  the  very 
first  generation  an  admixture  of  cold,  worthless  blood, 
to  the  full  measure  of  one  half  The  result  usual  in 
such  cases  is  found  here.  Many  of  the  colts  related 
more  or  less  nearly^  to  the  old  horse,  exhibit  the  char- 
acteristics of  the  Morgan  /orm,  but  lack  compactness, 
not  of  general  form,  hut  of  muscle^  and  they  lack  bottom. 
The  general  characteristics  of  the  Morgan  family  are, 
small  size,  weighing  from  seven  hundred  to  one  thou- 
sand pounds ; a long,  but  strong  back ; plumpness  of 
general  contour,  like  a Berkshire  pig ; short,  hairy 
legs;  a brusque  air,  a bustling  gait,  with  more  pucker 
4 


74 


THE  MOBGAH  HORSE. 


and  gather,  than  freedom  and  elasticity  of  step ; long, 
coarse  hair ; heavy  mane  and  tail,  and  a surprising  dis- 
position to  accumulate  fat  instead  of  muscle,  and  a re- 
markably docile  and  tractable  temper.  As  a general 
thing,  the  ^Morgans’  have  not  length  of  stride  enough 
to  be  good  roadsters.  They  take  too  many  steps  in  a 
mile.  It  is  but  very  rarely  one  can  be  found  that 
proves  to  be  a good  all-day  horse.  It  often  occurs  that 
one  can  be  driven  ten  miles  within  the  hour,  and  per- 
haps at  the  same  rate  for  the  second  hour,  without  ap- 
parent distress  or  inj  ary.  But  for  a high  rate  of  speed, 
throughout  the  day^  search  must  be  made  among  other 
families  than  the  ^Morgan.’  There  is  a place  for 
them,  however.  They  are  good  for  an  hour’s  drive  for 
short  stages.  They  are  good  to  run  about  town  with. 
They  are  good  in  the  light  pleasure- wagon — prompt, 
lively  (not  spirited),  and  ‘ trappy.’  There  is  no  ques- 
tion among  those  who  have  had  fair  opportunities  of 
comparing  the  ‘ Morgans  ’ with  horses  of  purer  blood, 
and  descended  from  different  stocks,  in  regard  to  the 
relative  position  of  the  ‘ Morgan.’  He  is,  as  he  exists 
at  the  present  day,  inferior  in  size,  speed  and  bottom — 
in  fact  in  all  those  qualities  necessary  to  the  perform- 
ance of  ‘ great  deeds  ’ on  the  road  or  the  farm,  to  the 
descendants  of  Messenger,  Duroc,  imp.  Magnum  Bonum^ 
and  many  other  horses  of  deserved  celebrity.  The 
Gifford  Morgan  embodies  the  characteristics  of  the 
Morgan  form,  or  did  embody  them,  better  and  in  more 
prominent  and  pleasant  relief  than  any  horse  I am 
acquainted  with,  of  this  family.  ****?> 

We  are  at  some  loss  to  determine  exactly  the  motives 
of  the  writer  of  this  letter,  in  admitting  that  the  origi- 


L iN  'di)  Nvi)ac;jv 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  75 

nal  Morgan  horse  was  nearly  thorongh-bred.  He 
either  thought  it  impossible  to  deny  it,  or,  haying 
adopted  the  theory  that  no  horse  can  possess  any  really 
valuable  qualities  for  farm  or  road  service  unless  close- 
ly allied  to  the  English  race-horse,  it  was  indispensably 
necessary  to  admit  him  to  have  been  nearly  thorough- 
bred, in  order  to  sustain  his  theory  ; for  he  felt  that  it 
was  folly  to  attempt  to  deny  that  his  immediate  de- 
scendants were  possessed  of  many  excellent  qualities. 

Having  assumed  that  the  good  qualities  of  the  Mor- 
gan all  came  from  the  racing  blood  he  supposes  he  had 
in  his  veins,  he  is  obliged  to  depreciate  his  descendants, 
as  the  racing  blood  disappears  in  his  stock.  He  says  : 
“ When  we  trace  down  his  stock,  we  find  in  the  very 
next  generation  an  admixture  of  cold,  worthless  blood,  to 
the  full  measure  of  one-half.”  According  to  this  writer, 
all  blood  is  cold  and  worthless,  except  it  comes  from 
the  English  thorough-bred,  and  he  is  evidently  one  of 
that  small  class  of  horsemen  who  adulate  “high  blood,” 
and  rejoice  in  the  faith  that  the  English  race-horse  has 
reached  the  acme  of  perfection  for  every  variety  of  ser- 
vice— that  he  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  all  excellence 
in  the  entire  genus,  and  who  implicitly  believe  that  he 
is  bound  to  over-run  the  earth,  as  the  waters  do  the 
sea,  to  the  utter  and  complete  extinction  of  all  the  other 
members  of  the  horse  family — from  the  Lincolnshire 
draft-horse  to  the  Shetland  pony. 

But  let  us  come  a little  nearer  to  the  subject,  and 
give  this  letter  some  further  attention ; for  having  been 
admitted  by  the  compiler  into  Youatt,  a standard  Eng- 
lish work,  it  derives  from  its  connection  a credit  and 
authority,  that  would  not  otherwise  attach  to  it.  The 


76 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


writer  says : “ Many  of  the  colts,  related  more  or  less 
nearly  to  the  old  horse,  exhibit  the  characteristics  of 
the  ‘ Morgan’  /orm,  but  lack  compactness — not  of  gene- 
ral form,  hut  of  muscle — and  they  lack  bottom.”  It  is 
very  satisfactory  to  know  from  so  intelligent  and  disin- 
terested a horseman,  that  the  Morgan  horse  still  preserves 
the  characteristics  of  the  Morgan  form,  and  that,  though 
he  lacks  compactness,  it  is  not  of  form,  but  of  muscle. 

According  to  this  writer,  on  the  outside  all  is  still 
right  with  this  breed  of  horses.  No  fault  is  found  with 
the  size,  or  shape  of  the  muscles ; but  they  have  an  in- 
visible defect — “ they  lack  compactness  of  muscle.” 
We  think  the  great  and  striking  muscular  development 
of  the  Morgan  horse,  giving  him  such  unrivalled  ease 
and  vigor  of  motion,  may  be  safely  trusted  to  live  down 
this  invisible  defect  of  this  invisible  writer.  But,  he 
says,  “ they  lack  bottom.” 

Not  a word  of  proof  is  offered,  and  the  assertion  leads 
one  to  think  that  the  writer  is  neither  a horseman  nor 
a Yermonter,  and  that  he  has  only  borrowed  the  name 
of  our  little  State,  to  have  a good  place  to  write  from 
about  Morgan  horses. 

The  unrivalled  endurance  of  the  Morgan  is  so  uni- 
versally admitted,  not  only  in  Vermont,  but  through- 
out New  England,  that  it  is  desirable  in  charity  to 
conclude,  that  Mr.  Eandall’s  ‘‘distinguished  judge  of 
horses”  was  not  much  acquainted  with  the  animals  he 
was  attempting  to  describe. 

Again,  he  says  their  weight  is  from  seven  hundred 
to  one  thousand  pounds. 

This  is  evidently  an  under-estimate,  and  leads  any 
one  well  acquainted  with  the  breed,  to  doubt  the  fairness 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC. 


77 


and  cand6r  of  the  writer.  The  fair  average  weight  of 
the  Morgan  horse,  as  now,  and  for  a long  time  bred  in 
Vermont,  we  think  will  prove  to  be,  as  we  have  already 
stated  it,  from  nine  hundred  to  eleven  hundred  pounds. 
Many  breeders  will  think  this  estimate  too  low ; but 
we  intend  to  go  under  rather  than  over  the  weight.  A 
few  will  weigh  less  than  nine  hundred,  and  some  will 
weigh  more  than  eleven  hundred  pounds.  Let  any 
one  look  at  the  list  of  Morgan  horses  exhibited  at  the 
last  United  States  Agricultural  Fair ; the  weights  of  a 
large  number  of  them  are  given,  and  it  appears  that 
their  medium  size  cannot  be  less  than  from  nine  hun- 
dred to  ten  hundred  and  fifty  pounds. 

The  next  assertion  of  this  writer  is  much  more  re- 
markable; he  says  of  the  Morgans,  they  have  “ a long 
hut  strong  hack^  One  cannot  but  fear  that,  before 
writing  this,  this  “ distinguished  judge  of  horses  in 
Vermont”  had  been  looking  through  some  deceptive 
glasses.  One  of  the  marked  and  striking  characteris- 
tics of  Morgan  horses  is^  and  always  has  heen^  the  short- 
ness of  their  backs. 

Let  any  horseman  look  at  the  plates  in  this  volume, 
or  at  any  of  the  numerous  cuts  published  in  various 
forms,  and  see  how  near  this  writer  has  come  to  a fiiir 
description  of  these  horses.  Again,  he  says : ‘‘As  a 
general  thing,  the  ‘ Morgans’  have  not  length  of  stride 
enough  to  be  good  roadsters.  They  take  too  many 
steps  in  a mile.”  Now,  it  is  because  they  take  more 
steps  in  a mile  than  the  long-strided  horse,  that  the 
Morgans  so  easily  leave  them  behind  before  night-fall. 
It  will  take  a long  time  for  this  writer,  or  any  other,  to 


78 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


convince  tlie  horsemen  of  Vermont  that  a long-stepping 
animal  is  the  thing  for  an  “ all-day  horse.” 

But,  as  the  ‘‘  distinguished  judge  of  horses  in  Ver- 
mont” may  not  think  mueh  of  New  England  opinions, 
we  refer  to  Youatt,  who,  in  speaking  of  the  compara- 
tive advantages  of  a long  or  short-strided  horse  under 
the  most  trying  circumstances,  namely,  in  going  over 
soft  ground  and  over  hills,  says:  “The  compact,  short- 
strided  horse  will  almost  skim  the  surface,  while  the 
feet  of  the  longer-reached  animal  will  sink  deep,  and 
he  will  wear  himself  out  in  his  efforts  to  disengage 
himself.  * * * Every  horseman  knows  how  much 

more  enduring  is  a short-bodied  horse  in  climbing 
hills,  though,  perhaps,  not  quite  so  much  in  descending 
them.”  At  the  present  day,  a long  strided  horse  can 
hardly  be  sold  for  a driving  horse,  in  the  Boston  or 
New  York  markets.  Short  steps  come  from  short  legs, 
and  short  legs  are  indispensable  to  the  greatest  endu- 
rance. 

Let  us  compare  for  a moment  this  assertion,  that 
“they  have  not  length  of  stride  enough  to  be  good 
roadsters,”  with  what  he  says  in  the  second  sentence 
following.  Here  he  admits  that  they  can  often  be 
driven  twenty  miles  in  two  hours,  without  apparent 
distress  or  injury.  Where  is  there  a horseman  but 
must  at  once  admit,  that  the  horse  which  can  be  driven 
twenty  miles  in  two  hours,  without  distress  or  injury, 
has  abundance  of  stride  for  endurance  throughout  the 
day!  and  it  is  evident  that,  for  a short  distance,  he 
must  have  far  greater  speed — for  no  horse  can  be 
driven  at  the  top  of  his  speed  for  two  hours  without 
distress. 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  KOAD,  ETC. 


•79 


We  tliink  the  simple  fact  that  a horse  can  make  his 
twenty  miles  in  two  hours  without  distress,  will,  by 
most  horsemen,  be  deemed  the  strongest  possible  evi- 
dence (save  actual  trial)  of  his  ability  to  perform  more 
than  an  ordinary  day’s  journey. 

The  compiler,  at  the  close  of  this  long  attack  on 
Morgan  horses,  from  a concealed  enemy,  says  of  it: 
‘‘  The  above  is  not^  as  already  stated,  the  popular  esti- 
mate of  this  family.  Having  stated  both  sides  of  the 
question,  we  leave  it  to  the  judgment  of  the  public.” 
What  does  the  compiler  mean  by  “ having  given  both 
sides”  ? The  only  thing  the  compiler  gives  favorable 
to  the  Morgan  is  from  a Nevf  York  Committee,  who 
were  evidently  strangers  to  the  breed,  and  whose  opin- 
ion was  based  on  the  two  specimens  before  them. 
The  Morgans  were  among  strangers,  where  they  and 
their  owners  were  unknown.  They  were  judged  by  a 
New  York  Committee,  and  New  York  had  then  but 
little  interest  in  the  Morgan  breed  of  horses,  and  they 
were,  of  course,  surrounded  by  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances interested  in  other  breeds.  But  they  were  too 
accomplished  horsemen  to  overlook  the  extraordinary 
characteristics  of  the  Morgans,  and  too  frank  and  manly 
not  to  speak  out  fully  and  boldly  their  opinions. 

What  they  have  said  is  the  verdict  of  a New  York 
jury.  Aside  from  that  verdict,  the  compiler  has  ad- 
mitted nothing  in  favor  of  the  Morgan  horse  ; and  this 
is  what  he  calls  “ giving  both  sides.” 

The  reputation  of  this  breed  of  horses  is  not  the  re- 
sult of  a temporary  excitement,  got  up  by  interested 
parties  to  assist  their  sale,  but  it  is  the  result  of  a long 
and  convincing  trial  of  their  powers.  The  attention 


80 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


of  horsemen  was  drawn  to  them  long  ago,  and  their 
reputation  has  gone  on  increasing  steadily  from  that 
day  to  the  present. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  a letter  written  by 
a gentleman  of  Philadelphia  to  the  American  Turf 
Eegister  and  Sporting  Magazine,  in  1831. 

^ ^ It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  the 
first  trotting  matches  in  this  country  took  place  in  New 
England ; and  twenty  years  ago,  every  stranger  who 
travelled  the  road  from  Boston  to  Portland,  a distance 
then  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  must  have 
been  surprised  to  see  horses,  not  quite  fifteen  hands 
high,  drawdng  heavy  carriages,  with  nine  passengers, 
at  the  rate  of  eight  and  ten  miles  an  hour,  accomplish- 
ing the  journey  with  ease  in  one  day.  ^ ^ ^ Prom 
what  is  known  of  .the  speed  and  strength  of  this  horse, 
and  his  properties,  so  well  adapted  for  the  road  as  w^ell 
as  the  turf,  it  has  always  seemed  unaccountable  to  me 
why  farmers  and  breeders  generally  do  not  introduce 
the  trotting  horse  instead  of  the  high-mettled  racer,  of 
vrhose  usefulness  scarcely  one  word  can  be  said.  I am, 
however,  far  from  underrating  the  thorough-bred  horse : 
the  sports  of  the  turf  are  always  interesting  to  me ; but 
I now  address  practical  men,  and  I ask,  if  they  would 
not  benefit  themselves  and  the  community  more  by 
raising  the  trotter  instead  of  the  racer  ? 

“ The  one  is  useful  as  a work-horse  on  the  farm  or  on 
the  road ; generally  kind  and  gentle  in  harness,  and 
often  active  enough  for  the  saddle.  AYhilst  the  other, 
if  his  strain  is  superior,  has  an  irritability,  a nervous- 
ness, that  unfits  him  for  the  steady  routine  of  making 
wheels  turn  round,  and  is  only  calcidated  to  carry  a 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC. 


81 


liglit  weight  and  occasionally  win  a plate  or  purse.  I 
believe  it  is  estimated  that  only  one  colt  in  thirty  proves 
himself  a first-rate  runner,  under  the  most  judicious 
management  in  the  selection  of  brood  mares,  and  the 
greatest  care  in  feeding,  grooming  and  bitting.  Such 
a colt  may  possibly  bring  two  or  three  thousand  dol- 
lars, but  the  tw'enty-nine  may  not  average  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars ; while  the  trotting  colt  of  good  prom- 
ise (which  is  indicated  not  unfrequently  at  three  years 
old,)  readily  brings  from  two  to  five  hundred  dollars, 
and  some  of  them  one  thousand.  Besides,  these  horses 
are  always  in  demand ; every  man  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  our  large  cities,  travelling  on  dusty  roads, 
wants  a trotter  for  his  every-day  use ; but  how  few  of 
them  keep  a racer  ? 

“ I am  aware  that  fine  roadsters  are  sometimes  obtain- 
ed by  crossing  the  large  common  mare  with  the  full- 
blooded  horse.  There  are  instances  of  it  in  the  progeny 
of  old  Messenger ; he  was  the  sire  of  Fagdown,  and,  I 
believe,  of  Mambrino  and  Hamiltonian  ; and  this  stock 
has  supplied  Philadelphia  and  New  York  with  the 
only  trotting  horses  that  they  raised  for  some  time. 
Tippoo  Saib,  \vho  now  stands  at  the  Hunting  Park 
Course,  belongs  to  the  same  family;  and  although,  as 
a trotter,  I have  never  heard  of  his  performance,  yet 
he  is  the  sire  of  Lady  Miller,  a very  celebrated  trotter. 

‘^Now,  with  the  exception  of  Messenger,  I have  never 
been  able  to  trace  extraordinary  trotting  families  derived 
from  such  a source.  There  are  individuals  of  celebrity 
whose  origin  is  unknown  ; but  we  want,  in  this  quar- 
ter, the  distinct  race,  as  they  pervade  some  parts  of  the 
Eastern  States,  and  the  county  of  Norfolk,  England.  * * 
4* 


82 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


‘‘  I think  there  are  two  reasons  why  we  have  not  sup- 
plied the  Philadelphia  market  with  the  right  kind  of 
roadster ; one  is,  we  have  mixed  up  too  much  of  the 
running  stock,  particularly  in  ISTew  Jersey  and  South- 
ward of  us ; and  the  other  is,  we  have  too  little.  That 
medium  so  desirable  for  the  road,  which  for  years  has 
given  celebrity  to  the  private  and  public  conveyances 
in  New  England,  was  not  generally  known  here  until 
the  establishment  of  the  Trotting  Club  on  the  Hunting 
Park  Course.” 

In  the  March  number  of  the  Albany  Cultivator  for 
1848,  J.  B.  Burnett,  a "Hhorough-hredi’^  man,  in  an  arti- 
cle in  favor  of  thorough-bred  horses,  and  against  the 
Morgans,  with  equal  truth  and  candor  says : “ It  can- 
not be  denied  that  they  possess  great  energy  and  cour- 
age, great  strength  and  endurance,  great  ambition  and 
docility  ; that  they  mature  early  and  are  easily  kept ; 
that  they  are  pleasant  drivers  and  always  ready  for 
business,  and — what  is  more  important — sell  at  high 
prices.” 

E.  L.  Allen,  Esq.,  an  accomplished  gentleman  in 
New  York,  and  a thorough  horseman,  having  no  inter- 
est then  or  since  in  Morgan  stock,  so  far  as  we  can 
ascertain,  thus  speaks  of  them  in  his  American  Agri- 
culture. After  pointing  out  their  origin,  he  says : 

The  result  has  been  the  production  of  a family  of 
roadsters  of  much  similarity  of  appearance  and  uni- 
formity of  character,  unsurpassed  by  any  others  for  ser- 
viceable qualities.  They  are  of  medium  size,  from 
thirteen  and  a half  to  fifteen  hands  high,  with  a well- 
formed  head  and  neck,  high  withers,  deep  chest,  round 
body,  short  back,  large  quarters,  broad,  flat  legs,. mod- 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  88 

eratelj  small  feet,  long,  wavy  mane  and  tail,  present- 
ing altogether  the  beau  ideal  of  the  road  horse. 

“ They  are  spirited  and  docile,  hardy  and  easily  kept. 
They  have  an  easy  and  rapid  trot,  and  glide  along 
with  a good  load  without  clatter  or  apparent  effort,  at 
the  rate  of  ten  or  twelve  miles  an  hour.” 

Mr.  Weissinger,  formerly  one  of  the  editors  of  the 
Louisville  (Kentucky)  Journal^  tnat  has  for  many  years 
been  a leading  paper  at  the  South,  made  a tour  through 
the  Northern  States  in  the  summer  of  1845.  While 
in  Vermont,  his  taste  for  horses  prompted  him  to  exam- 
ine carefully  the  Morgans.  In  a letter  to  the  ‘‘Jour- 
nal,” after  some  remarks  in  relation  to  their  origin, 
he  says : 

“ There  is  no  doubt  whatever  of  this — that  the  breed 
of  the  Morgan  horse  was,  and  is  now,  in  the  few  in- 
stances where  it  can  be  found,  far  the  best  breed  of 
horses  for  general  use  that  ever  was  in  the  United 
States — probably  the  best  in  the  world ; and  it  is  re- 
markable that  this  breed  was,  and  is  now,  known  by 
many  striking  peculiarities,  common  to  nearly  every 
individual.  They  have  a full,  heavy,  wavy  mane  and 
tail,  good  head  and  neck,  small,  well-shaped  ears ; are 
broad  between  the  eyes ; legs  broad  and  short,  with 
large  tendons,  bodies  rather  thick-set ; but  their  most 
striking  peculiarity  is  in  their  carriage : legs  well  un- 
der, trot  quick,  short  and  springy,  the  fore-legs  bending 
remarkably,  the  very  reverse  of  the  slow,  slouchy  move- 
ment of  the  race-horse  in  the  trot.  They  are  likewise 
exceedingly  hardy  and  well-tempered.” 

In  the  American  Farmer’s  Encyclopedia,  edited  by 


84 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Governeur  Emerson,  and  pnblislied  in  Pkiladelphia,  in 
1844,  is  the  following  description  of  the  Morgan  horse  : 
“Perhaps  the  very  finest  breed  of  horses  in  the 
United  States,  when  general  usefulness  is  taken  into 
consideration,  is  what  is  commonly  known  in  the  North 
ern  and  Eastern  States  as  the  Morgan  horse. 

“This  breed  is  distinguished  by  its  activity,  united 
with  strength  and  hardiness.  Its  size  is  moderate,  and 
though  not  often  possessing  the  fleetness  which  recom- 
mends it  to  the  sportsman,  it  has  speed  enough  to  entitle 
it  to  the  aj)pellation  of  a fast  traveller.  Their  usual  height 
is  from  fourteen  to  fifteen  hands,  color  bay,  make  round 
and  rather  heavy, with  lean  heads,  broad  and  deep  chests, 
the  fore  limbs  set  wide  apart,  legs  clean  and  sinewy, 
short,  strong  backs,  with  that  projection  of  the  ribs 
from  the  backbone  which  is  a sure  indication  of  great 
development  of  lungs,  and  consequently  of  great  Avind 
and  bottom.  For  saddle,  draught,  and  other  .useful 
purposes,  the  Morgan  horses,  bred  in  Vermont  and  in 
all  the  Eastern  States,  including  the  Northern  and 
Western  parts  of  New  York,  are  so  much  prized  as  to 
command  much  higher  prices  in  the  principal  cities  of 
the  Atlantic  States,  than  horses  from  other  parts  of  the 
Union.”  ’ ‘ 

The  Maine  Farmer  for  1858  (we  think  in  the  April 
number)  in  an  editorial,  thus  speaks  of  the  Morgan 
horses  : “ The  stock  of  Morgan  horses  is  so  univer 

sally  known  and  admired  throughout  New  England, 
that  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  repeat  their  merits.  For 
a seller  of  horses,  it  is  only  necessary  to  establish  the 
fact  that  his  horses  are  of  the  Morgan  blood,  and  he 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  85 

meets  with  a ready  sale  at  good  prices,  and  the  pur- 
chasers are  more  than  satisfied. 

“ They  excel  in  great  endurance,  carrying  weight  a 
long  distance;  and  as  roadsters  they  excel  all  other 
horses  in  this  or  any  other  country  ; are  full  of  noble 
and  generous  spirit,  with  such  docility  of  temper  that 
the  most  timid  can  drive  them ; but  if  put  to  their  met- 
tle, they  are  a full  hand  for  the  best  driver.”  In  an 
elaborate  article  in  the  New  York  Herald^  in  relation 
to  the  horses  of  that  city,  published  early  in  1853,  in 
speaking  of  the  large  number  of  horses  employed  in 
hauling  the  cars  on  the  Sixth  Avenue  Eailroad,  the 
writer  says : ‘‘  Four-fifths  of  all  the  horses  employed  on 
this  road  are  from  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire,  and 
of  these  nearly  all  are  of  the  celebrated  Morgan  breed. 
These  horses  have  long  and  justly  been  celebrated  for 
their  admirable  qualities  as  roadstei*s. 

“ They  are  particularly  remarkable  for  their  great 
strength  in  proportion  to  their  size,  and  for  their  power 
of  endurance,  bearing  up  under  hard  labor  that  would 
break  down  the  strongest  draft  horse. 

“The  Morgan  horse,  though  a small  animal,  is  noted 
for  his  great  bottom  and  hardiness,  as  well  as  for  com- 
pactness and  roundness  of  form.  He  is  a very  sprightly 
animal,  and  is  said  to  be  more  sagacious  than  the  gener- 
ality of  horses.” 

By  reference  to  the  report  of  the  United  States  Agri- 
cultural Society’s  Fair,  held  in  Boston,  Mass.,  the  fourth 
week  in  October,  1855,  it  appears  that  three  premiums 
were  offered  to  stallions  as  “roadsters;”  of  these  all 
were  awarded  to  stallions  of  Morgan  descent;  four 
premiums  were  offered  to  stallions  for  general  use,  four 


86 


THE  MOKGAN  HOUSE. 


years  old  and  upwards.  All  of  tliese  were  awarded  to 
Morgans.  To  stallions  for  general  use,  three  years  old 
and  under  four  years,  two  premiums  were  offered ; one 
of  these  was  awarded  to  a Morgan.  To  stallions  for 
general  use,  one  year  old  and  under  two,  three  premiums 
offered ; two  awarded  to  Morgans.  To  breeding  mares 
and  fillies  four  premiums  were  offered ; two  awarded  to 
Morgans.  To  fillies  three  years  old,  two  premiums 
offered ; one  awarded  to  a Morgan.  Fillies  one  year 
old,  only  one  premium  awarded,  and  that  to  a Morgan. 
To  trotting  stallions  four  premiums  were  offered,  and 
three  of  them  awarded  to  Morgans. 

That  this  was  a very  large  exhibition  of  horses  is  cer- 
tain, for  there  were  four  hundred  and  forty-three  horses 
entered  for  premiums.  The  report  of  every  State  Fair 
at  the  North  and  West,  shows  that  wdierever  exhibited, 
the  Morgans  take  the  very  highest  rank  as  horses  for 
general  use.  Now  this  evidence  of  his  value  is  the  more 
striking,  as  at  most  of  these  agricultural  exhibitions 
he  is  among  strangers,  and  he  comes  into  competition 
with  horses  long  known  and  having  many  friends 
around  to  assist  in  sustaining  them.  A horse  that  can 
compete  successfully  for  the  highest  honors  under  such 
circumstances,  must  be  so  plainly,  and  so  far  superior 
to  his  rivals,  that  the  moment  he  is  seen  the  spectator 
acknowledges,  without  hesitation,  his  great  superiority. 
The  appearance  of  “ Champion^lack  Hawk,”  and  Silas 
Hale’s  ‘‘  Green  Mountain,”  on  the  fair  grounds  of  Ken- 
tucky, at  different  times,  strikingly  illustrate  this. 

In  the  account  of  the  agricultural  fair,  at  Florence, 
Kentucky,  in  October,  1855,  published  in  the  Cincin 
nati  Gazette  of  October  18th,  1855,  is  the  follow- 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  87 

ing  description  of  the  exhibition  of  stallions  for  har- 
ness : 

“The  Fair  at  Florence. — Yesterday  was  the  day 
for  the  exhibition  of  horses.  In  the  ring  of  stallions 
for  harness,  of  four  years  old  and  upwards,  the  blue 
ribbon  (highest  premium)  was  tied  on  a dapple  grey, 
but  just  then  Champion  Black  Hawk,  belonging  to 
Messrs.  P.  & L.  Melendy,  of  Flamilton  County,  Ohio, 
was  brought  in,  and  the  multitude  immediately  shouted, 
‘take  it  off,’  ‘take  it  off.’ 

“ It  was  accordingly  taken  off  and  put  upon  Black 
Hawk,  and  no  judgment  of  the  Committee  was  more 
heartily  approved  by  the  spectators  than  this.  Cham% 
pion  Black  Hawk  is  of  the  Morgan  stock,  and  closely 
resembles  old  Green  Mountain  Morgan  in  size,  build, 
and  carriage.  He  is  a small  horse,  but  compactly 
built,  indicates  power  and  endurance,  and  in  horseman 
phrase  is  ‘ big  for  his  size.’  ” 

So,  also,  when  Hale’s  Green  Mountain  appeared  on 
the  show  grounds  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1853,  he 
met  with  a cordial  welcome,  and  the  horse  was  greeted 
on  his  entering  the  exhibition  ring,  with  such  eager 
applause  as  told,  full  plainly,  that  his  form  and  his 
style  of  action  were  new,  but  were  appreciated  by  the 
thousands  of  strangers  before  whom  he  was  moving. 
It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  he  received  the  high- 
est premium,  as  he  had  previously  done  the  same  season 
at  the  Michigan  State  Fair  at  Detroit,  and  the  Ohio  State 
Fair  at  Dayton. 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that  the  horse  was  taken  from 
Vermont  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  by  railroad,  without  any 
stop  for  the  purpose  of  rest.  The  fair  at  Dayton  being 


88 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


over,  lie  went  directly  to  Detroit,  arriving  there  after 
the  commencement  of  the  fair.  From  Detroit  he  went 
directly  to  Louisville,  where  he  arrived  late  the  night 
previous  to  the  last  day  of  the  fair. 

The  following  letter  is  from  a gentleman  long  en- 
gaged in  staging,  whose  opportunities  for  observation 
have  been  very  extensive,  and  we  would  as  soon  rely 
upon  his  judgment  in  anything  relating  to  the  qualities 
of  a good  horse,  as  that  of  any  person  we  have  ever 
met: 


“Jefferson  City,  Missouri,  April  14,  1856. 

C,  Linsley^  Esq. 

“Dear  Sir: — It  is  with  much  pleasure  I have  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  a recent  date, 
requesting  me  to  give  you  my  views  of  Morgan  horses, 
as  compared  with  horses  in  general  use  at  the  West. 

“I  have  spent  the  greatest  portion  of  my  life  in  stag- 
ing, formerly  in  Vermont,  and  now  in  MissiOuri,  and  I 
take  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  to  the  decided  superi- 
ority of  Morgan  horses  for  coach  service,  over  any 
others  that  I have  ever  used.  I have  bought  many  horses 
in  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Missouri,  and 
though  occasionally  a good  roadster  can  be  found,  they 
are  not  common.  Many  of  the  horses  of  these  States 
have  fine  forms  and  good  carriage,  yet  lack  the  high, 
free  spirit,  unflinching  courage,  and  iron  constitutions 
the  Vermont  horses  so  generally  possess.  Very  many 
of  the  Western  horses  are  too  large.  Large  horses  may 
be  the  best  for  draft,  but  I have  always  found  horses  of 
medium  size,  weighing,  say  about  ten  hundred  and 


CHAMPION  B I.  A C K HAWK. 


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ADAPTATION  TO  THE  ROAD,  ETC.  89 

fifty  pounds,  mucli  the  most  serviceable  and  enduring 
when  used  before  a coach. 

“I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

‘‘MILO  JUNE.” 

The  writer  of  the  following  letter  is  well  known  at 
the  East,  and  throughout  the  West,  as  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  successful  stage-owners  in  our  country, 
and  the  noble  fortune  he  has  secured,  by  his  own  ex- 
ertions, sufficiently  attest  his  practical  wisdom,  and  the 
soundness  and  solidity  of  his  judgment.  His  large  ex- 
perience at  the  West  gives  peculiar  value  to  his  opinion, 
with  regard  to  horses,  adapted  to  that  country : 

“ Chicago,  April  21st,  1856. 

“Z).  C,  Linsley^  Esq. 

“Dear  Sir  : — Your  favor  of  the  8th  inst.  is  received, 
in  relation  to  the  Morgan  breed  of  horses,  and  express- 
ing your  desire  to  make  them  more  generally  known 
in  the  Western  States.  This  desire  I sincerely  share 
with  you,  and  cannot  doubt  your  entire  success. 

“ Being  a Vermonter,  I have  known  Morgan  horses 
as  long  as  I have  known  any.  I have  resided  at  Chi- 
cago the  last  seventeen  years,  during  which  time  I 
have  been  largely  engaged  in  the  business  of  staging — 
which  business  affords  constant  employment  for  about 
fifteen  hundred  horses — and  have  thus  had  opportuni- 
ties for  observing  and  testing  the  capacity  and  endur- 
ance of  horses.  I have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  I con- 
sider the  Morgan  horses  far  superior  to  any  other  breed 
or  blood  I have  ever  known  for  the  road  or  farm. 

“In  fact,  I would  prefer  them  over  all  others  for 


90 


THE  MOEGAN  ITOESE. 


any  kind  of  service  on  tke  American  Continent.  They 
are  invariably  good  feeders,  are  easily  kept,  and  will 
not  only  perform  and  endure  more  service  in  a year, 
but  more  years  of  service,  than  any  other  breed  of 
horses  I have  ever  known. 

“Of  the  horses  heretofore  raised  in  the  Western 
States,  and  particularly  West  of  the  Lakes  (although 
much  improvement  has  been  made  within  a few  years, 
and  many  fine  horses  may  now  be  found  among  them), 
it  is  undeniably  true,  that  a Morgan  horse,  from  New 
England,  will  outlast  two  horses  raised  in  the  West. 

“ It  is  also  true,  that  but  few  Morgan  horses  have, 
as  yet,  been  brought  from  New  England  West  of  the 
Lakes,  and  equally  true,  that  their  services  are  very 
generally  sought  by  intelligent  breeders  of  horses 
throughout  the  country.  Any  number  of  inferior 
horses  maybe  found  in  the  West,  wLich  are  claimed 
to  be  of  Morgan  blood. 

“This  attempt  to  palm  off  counterfeits,  is  the  highest 
evidence  of  the  value  of  the  genuine  blood.  The 
ready  and  general  objection  in  the  West,  with  those 
who  are  not  familiar  with  the  Morgans,  is  want  of  size, 
forgetting  that  their  size  should  be  judged  by  their 
weight,  and  not  by  the  length  of  their  legs,  and  that 
the  same  bodies,  upon  longer  legs,  w^ould  look  much 
larger.  Wishing  you  success,  and  hoping  that  you 
may  be  instrumental  in  causing  the  whole  of  our  fine 
State  to  be  filled  with  horses  of  pure  Morgan  blood, 

“ I am.  Sir,  your  friend  and  servant, 

“M.  O.  WALKER” 

We  might  continue  to  adduce  testimony  of  a similar 


ADAPTATION  TO  THE  EOAD,  ETC. 


91 


character  to  almost  any  extent,  but  we  think  the  fore- 
going extracts  from  the  highest  sources,  from  persons 
uninterested  in  these  horses,  and  residing  in  quarters 
of  the  country  where  they  have  not  been  bred,  amply 
sufficient  to  establish  the  fact,  that  the  Morgans,  as  a 
race,  are  possessed  of  great  powers  of  endurance,  and 
are  admirably  adapted  for  the  road  and  general  use. 

From  a consideration  of  the  foregoing  extracts,  it  is 
to  be  hoped,  that  ‘‘a  distinguished  judge  of  horses  in 
Vermont,”  will  review  his  opinions,  and  that  the  ac- 
complished compiler  of  the  breeds  of  horses  in  the 
United  States,  will  not  admit  into  a future  edition  of 
so  valuable  a work  as  Youatt’s,  an  article  so  prejudiced, 
and  so  untrue. 


CHAPTEE  V. 


ORIGIN  OP  THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 

The  different  accounts  that  have  been  circulated  in 
regard  to  the  origin  of  the  Morgan  breed  of  horses, 
agree  that  they  are  descended  from  a horse  called  the 
Justin  Morgan,  who  derived  his  name  from  Mr.  Jus- 
tin Morgan,  of  Eandolph,  Yt.,  once  his  owner.  As 
to  the  origin  of  the  Justin  Morgan,  however,  they 
differ  widely. 

The  fact  that  little  or  no  interest  was  felt  in  the  sub- 
ject until  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Morgan,  and  indeed 
until  after  the  death  of  his  horse,  will  account  for  this 
diversity. 

Almost  half  a century  passed  away  before  any 
serious  effort  was  made  to  determine  the  origin  of  an 
animal,  whose  value  was  daily  more  and  more  appre- 
ciated. After  the  death  of  Mr.  Morgan  the  horse 
passed  through  several  hands,  and  was  kept  at  differ- 
ent places,  and  when  at  length  serious  inquiry  was 
awakened  on  the  subject,  it  was  found  that  Mr.  Morgan 
had  left  no  written  pedigree  of  his  horse,  and  different 
reports  of  what  he  said  in  relation  to  it  got' into  circu- 
lation. 

We  think  it  may  be  considered  as  certain,  that  during 
Mr.  Morgan’s  life  and  until  long  after  his  death,  very 
little  interest  was  felt  in  the  question,  “ What  was  the 

(92) 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


93 


exact  pedigree  of  the  horse  ?”  When  the  inquiry  be- 
came interesting,  and  discussion  arose,  different  stories 
were  current,  and  opinions  were  frequently  formed  in 
accordance  with  previous  prejudices  or  views  of  the  in- 
dividual forming  them,  as  to  the  value  of  different 
breeds  of  horses.  Some,  holding  the  opinion  that  no 
valuable  horse  could  be  expected  without  a great  deal 
of  racing  blood,  sought  to  make  it  appear  that  he  was 
nearly  thorough-bred.  Others  having  less  faith  in  the 
English  racer,  entertained  different  opinions,  and  adopted 
for  their  creed  stories  that  ascribed  to  him  a very  dif- 
ferent origin.  No  person  seemed  to  take  the  matter 
in  ha,nd  and  investigate  it  thoroughly,  until  those  who 
might  have  given  the  necessary  information  were  gone. 

It  is  not  now  probable  that  the  blood  of  the  Justin 
Morgan  can  ever  be  exactly  and  absolutely  ascertained. 
We  think,  however,  it  may  be  considered  certain  that 
this  unrivalled  animal  was  produced  by  a cross  of  the 
Arabian  or  thorough-bred  with  the  common  stock, 
but  the  proportion  of  each  cannot  now  be  determined. 

There  are  no  opinions  that  men  maintain  so  stren- 
uously, and  give  up  so  reluctantly,  as  those  which 
they  form  and  publicly  avow  upon  matters  in  which 
they  are  supposed  by  others  to  be  particularly  well-in- 
formed. This  is  more  especially  true  when  these  opin- 
ions entertained  and  expressed,  relate  to  matters  of 
practical  importance,  and  not  simply  to  some  abstract 
doctrine. 

Thus,  suppose  a man  has  studied  long  upon  the 
subject  of  rotation  of  crops,  and  is  thought  to  under- 
stand it  thoroughly  ; if  his  neighbor  acting  upon  his 
advice  is  thereby  injured,  he  will  account  for  the  fail- 


94 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


lire  in  any  way,  rather  than  ascribe  it  to  his  own  want 
of  information,  or  error  of  judgment. 

So  the  tradesman  much  more  reluctantly  acknow- 
ledges an  error  of  judgment  in  relation  to  an  article  of 
which  his  very  trade  presupposes  him  to  be  a j ndge, 
than  the  man  whose  attention  has  been  but  momen- 
tarily drawn  to  it.  It  is  to  this  disinclination  to  admit 
they  have  been  in  error,  coupled  with  inattention  to  the 
proofs  that  have  been  offered,  that  we  mainly  attribute 
the  disparity  that  may  be  noticed  in  the  accounts  given 
by  horsemen  of  the  origin  of  the  Morgan  horse ; for 
we  think  all  candid  persons  who  will  devote  but  a lit- 
tle time  to  an  examination  of  the  subject,  can  hardly 
fail  to  arrive  at  one  and  the  same  conclusion.  So  much 
importance  has  of  late  years  been  attached  to  this  sub- 
ject, and  some  excellent  horsemen  not  fully  agreeing 
in  relation  to  it,  we  have  been  led  to  devote  a good 
deal  of  time  and  labor  to  a careful  examination  of  all 
such  evidence  as  we  could  discover,  and  the  result  of 
our  investigation  is  (as  before  stated)  the  firm  convic- 
tion that  the  original  Morgan  horse  was  not  thorough- 
bred, but  yet,  had  a large  infusion  of  blood. 

Before  considering  the  evidence  that  has  led  us  to 
this  conclusion,  we  wish  to  explain  what  seems  to  us 
should  be  the  character  of  the  evidence  that  should  be 
deemed  amply  sufficient  to  establish  this  point. 

While-the  friends  of  these  horses  have  been  some- 
times ready  to  declare  the  original  Justin  Morgan  fully 
thorough-bred,  on  the  strength  of  evidence  which  we 
think  can  hardly  be  deemed  sufficient;  yet  on  the 
other  hand,  parties  interested  in  denying  he  had  any 
claim,  even  to  a particle  of  that  noble  blood,  insist 
upon  proof  that  shall  amount  to  demonstration. 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


95 


The  pedigree  of  a stock  horse  may  in  one  sense  be 
considered  property ; it  is  a valuable  thing,  and  one 
from  which  the  owner  may  derive  great  benefit.  Now 
what  reason  can  be  assigned  for  insisting  that  a man 
shall  adduce  stronger  evidence  to  establish  his  claim 
to  such  a pedigree,  than  is  required  before  a court  of 
justice  to  secure  him  in  the  possession  of  his  house,  or 
his  farm ; or  stronger  than  would  be  sufficient  to  enable 
his  neighbor  to  turn  him  out  of  doors  ? There  can  be 
no  reason.  But  some  gentlemen  insist  that  the  pedi- 
gree of  an  animal,  to  be  entitled  to  credit,  should  be 
supported  by  evidence  as  conclusive  as  would  be  re- 
quired to  send  the  owner  to  the  gallows,  if  he  were  in- 
dicted for  murder.  This  is  certainly  most  unreason- 
able and  unjust. 

The  following  articles,  we  believe,  comprise  all  the 
important  statements  in  relation  to  the  origin  of  the 
Morgan  horse  that  have  ever  been  published.  Some 
of  them  have  been  printed  in  very  many  different  papers 
throughout  the  country,  but,  with  a single  exception, 
we  believe,  they  were  all  originally  published  in  The 
Albany  Cultivator. 

In  the  October  number  of  that  paper  for  1841,  Vol. 
8,  p.  162,  there  appeared  the  following  letter  and  ac- 
companying affidavit: 

“ Messrs.  Gaylord  & Tucker  : I lately  received 
great  satisfaction  from  hearing  what  appears  to  be 
a correct  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Morgan  horses 
of  Vermont;  a breed  known  and  esteemed  for  activ- 
ity and  hardiness,  throughout  all  the  Northern  States ; 
not  remarkable  for  size,  and  scarcely  known  to  the 


96 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


sportsman  for  speed.  This  race  is  perhaps  as  highly 
celebrated  as  any  for  general  usefulness,  and  for  such 
a degree  of  fleetiiess  as  entitles  it  to  the  appellation  of 
fast  traveller. 

“ Their  height  is  from  fourteen  to  fifteen  hands ; color, 
bay ; make,  round  and  heavy,  with  lean  heads,  broad 
and  deep  chests,  the  fore-limbs  set  far  apart,  clean  and 
sinewy  legs,  short  strong  backs,  with  that  projection 
of  the  ribs  from  the  spine  which  is  a sure  indication  of 
powerful  lungs,  and,  consequently,  of  great  wind  and 
bottom.  The  original  Morgan  horse,  called  also  the 
Goss  horse,  is  well  known  to  have  appeared  in  Ean- 
dolph  and  in  St.  Johnsbury  (Yt.)  some  forty  years 
since,  and  to  have  been  kept  as  a stallion,  at  first  with 
but  little,  and  subsequently  with  very  great  patronage, 
some  five  and  twenty  years,  or  until  he  was  thirty 
years  old  or  more.  Various  accounts  are  current  as  to 
his  origin ; many  think  it  quite  distinct  from  the  Cana- 
dian breed  of  Norman-French  extraction,  and  consider 
the  horse  to  have  been  of  Dutch  blood,  and  to  have 
been  introduced  from  some  of  the  settlements  on  Hudson 
river,  southward  of  Albany.  Stories  are  told  of  a travel- 
ler’s blood  mare  having  got  with  foal  by  a Canadian 
or  Indian  pony,  at  various  places  north  and  west,  and 
having  brought  forth  this  horse ; all  these  accounts  are 
improbable,  and  appear  to  be  unauthenticated. 

‘^For  the  last  dozen  years,  being  aware,  both  by 
observation  and  experiment,  of  the  surprising  results 
of  crossing  the  Canadian  with  other  breeds  of  horses, 
and  having  become  acquainted  with  the  vast  variety 
and  different  qualities  of  various  races  in  the  Canadian 
breed,  I have  believed  that  the  original  Morgan  horse 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


97 


was  of  French  Canadian  origin.  This  opinion  being 
confirmed  by  the  accounts  here  given.  I am  anxious  to 
ascertain  whether  any  one  can  prove  it  erroneous,  and, 
if  not,  to  make  it  public,  that  it  may  be  known  that 
thousands  of  horses  may  be  obtained  in  French  Cana- 
da of  the  same  blood,  and  not  inferior  in  qualities  to 
the  Morgan,  whose  existence  added  several  ‘hundred 
thousand  dollars  to  the  wealth  of  Vermont. 

‘‘George  Barnard. 
^^SherbrooJcj  P,  O'.,  August,  1841.” 

“(affidavit.) 

“ I was  about  thirteen  years  of  age  when  the  Mor- 
gan horse  was  first  brought  to  St.  Johnsbury,  in  Ver- 
mont, where  my  father  lived.  As  I am  now  fifty,  it 
must  have  been  about  1804.  On  the  eve  of  the  second 
Tuesday  in  June  (for  I well  remember  that  the  morrow 
was  training-day)  I was  at  my  father’s  house,  and  a 
man  of  the  name  of  Abel  Shorey,  a skilful  horseman 
of  the  neighborhood,  was  there  also ; when  David  Goss, 
jr.,  my  cousin,  then  aged  about  seventeen,  came  up 
from  his  father’s,  distant  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  with  a message  to  Shorey,  requesting  him  to  go 
to  his  father’s  (my  uncle  David’s)  ^nd  trim  a horse 
that  uncle  John  Goss  had  just  then  brought  over  from 
Eandolph,  distant  forty  miles. 

“ I accompanied  them,  and,  at  my  uncle  David’s,  we 
found  uncle  John  from  Eandolph,  with  a little,  heavy, 
handsome,  active  bay  horse,  which  he  requested  Shorey 
to  trim,  chiefly  by  pulling  out  and  cutting  the  hairs  of 
his  tail,  which  appeared  as  if  it  had  been  gnawed  by 
calves.  Uncle  John  said  he  was  a Canadian  horse 
5 


98 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


that  he  had  just  got  from  Justin  Morgan  of  Eandolph, 
who  had  lately  brought  him  from  Montreal.  I,  after- 
wards, frequently  heard  the  manner  of  his  purchasing 
the  horse  related  in  my  father’s  and  uncle  David’s 
families,  which  was  this:  uncle  John  had  lent  Morgan 
the  sum  of  forty  dollars  on  occasion  of  the  latter’s  go- 
ing a journey  to  Montreal  in  Canada.  Morgan  obtained 
the  horse,  then  four  years  old,  at  Montreal,  and  being 
unable  to  repaj^  the  money  on  his  return,  disposed  of  him 
to  uncle  John,  to  pay  the  debt.  Uncle  John,  who  was 
no  horseman,  now  brought  him  to  my  uncle  David, 
who  was  much  of  a horseman,  in  the  hope  that  some- 
thing might  be  made  by  keeping  him  for  mares.  I 
remember  Shorey’s  calling  him  ^ a full  blood  French 
horse.’ 

‘‘  Uncle  John  Goss  engaged  Shorey  to  take  the  horse 
next  day  to  training,  at  Maj.  Butler’s,  and  there  I saw 
him  cover  four  mares. 

“ My  uncle,  David  Goss,  kept  the  horse  through  the 
season,  working  him  on  his  farm,  and  putting  him  to 
mares  when  they  were  brought;  he  also  kept  him 
through  the  next  winter  and  the  ensuing  spring,  when 
the  foals  were  found  to  be  universally  excellent ; uncle 
John  took  him  back  to  Eandolph,  where  he  made  his 
second  season : the  third  season  he  was  brought  to  8t. 
Johnsbury,  and  stood  at  uncle  David’s  again.  After 
this,  as  I went  to  learn  my  trade,  I cannot  give  so 
particular  an  account  of  the  horse,  but  remember  that 
he  was  kept  several  seasons  in  St.  Johnsbury. 

“ This,  and  more  to  the  same  purpose,  maybe  attested 
by  David  Goss,  sen.,  Phillip  Goss,  David  Goss,  jr., 


ITS  OKIGIN. 


99 


Clark  Stearns,  Abel  Sliorey,  Abel  Butler,  and  Thomas 
Pierce,  all  of  St.  Johnsbury. 

‘‘John  Stearns. 

“ Sworn  before  me  at  Charleston  village, 

this  14th  of  August,  1841. 

“David  Connell,  J.  P.” 

In  the  June  number  of  “ The  Cultivator”  (Yol.  IX., 
p.  99),  is  the  following  letter: 

“Messrs  Gaylord  and  Tucker: — Mr.  Edv>^ard 
Terry,  of  Eochester,  Yt.,  recently  sent  me  two  numbers 
of  your  ‘ Cultivator,’  containing  some  account  of  the 
origin  of  the  Morgan  breed  of  horses,  and  also  an  affida- 
vit of  John  Stearns,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Yt.,  relative  to 
the  same  subject.  I have  read  the  affidavit  of  the  said 
Stearns  attentively,  and  knovf  that  he  is  entirely  mis- 
taken in  all  his  statements  relative  to  the  time  said 
horse  was  brought  into  Yermont,  the  place  from  which 
he  was  brought,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  says  his 
uncle,  John  Goss,  obtained  said  horse  of  my  father.  I 
know  very  well  that  Mr.  John  Goss  never  obtained 
said  horse  of  my  father  in  any  way  whatever.  My 
father  owned  said  horse  to  the  day  of  his  death,  and,  in 
the  settlement  of  my  father’s  estate,  said  horse  passed 
into  the  hands  of  William  Eice,  then  living  in  AYood- 
stock,  Yt.,  since  deceased. 

“ I will  now  relate  the  facts  relative  to  said 
Morgan  horse,  as  I recollect  them.  My  father, 
Justin  Morgan,  brought  said  horse,  or,  rather,  said 
colt,  into  Eandolph,  Yt.,  in  the  summer  or  autumn  of 
1795.  Said  colt  was  only  two  years  old  when  my 


100 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


father  brought  him  to  Eandolph,  and  never  had  been 
handled  in  any  way,  not  even  to  be  led  by  a halter. 
My  father  went  to  Springfield,  Mass.,  the  place  of  his 
nativity,  and  the  place  from  which  he  removed  to 
Eandolph,  in  the  spring  or  summer  of  1795,  after 
money  that  was  due  to  him  at  that  place,  as  he  said; 
and,  instead  of  getting  money  as  he  expected,  he  got 
two  colts — one  a three  years  old  gelding  colt,  which  he 
led,  the  other,  a two  years  old  stud  colt,  which  followed 
all  the  way  from  Springfield  to  Eandolph ; having  been, 
as  my  father  said,  always  kept  with,  and  much  attached 
to  the  colt  he  led.  Said  two  years  old  colt  was  the 
same  that  has  since  been  known  all  over  New  England 
by  the  name  of  the  Morgan  horse. 

My  father  broke  said  colt  himself,  and,  as  I have 
before  remarked,  owned  and  kept  him  to  the  time  of 
his  decease,  which  took  place  in  March,  1798,  and  said 
horse  was  five  years  old  the  spring  my  father  died ; 
and,  as  before  stated,  soon  after  my  father’s  decease,  he 
passed’  from  my  father’s  estate  into  the  possession  of 
Wm.  Eice,  of  W oodstock,  Yt.  I cannot  state  positively 
that  my  father  purchased  said  colt  in  Springfield, 
Mass.,  but  I am  very  confident  that  he  purchased  him 
in  that  town,  or  in  the  immediate  vicinity  on  Connec- 
ticut river,  and  I know  that  my  father  always,  while 
he  lived,  called  him  a Dutch  horse. 

‘^Justin  Morgan. 
^'‘Stochhridge^  Vt^  March  1,  1842."” 

In  the  next  number  of  ‘‘The  Cultivator”  (Yol.  IX., 
p.  110),  under  the  head  of  “ Condensed  Correspondence 
and  Enquiries,”  we  find  the  following  article: 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


101 


‘‘After  our  last  paper  went  to  press,  containing  the 
statement  of  Justin  Morgan,  Esq.,  of  Stockbridge,  Vt., 
that  his  father  brought  the  original  Morgan  horse  from 
Springfield,  Mass.,  we  received  a communication  from 
Mr.  John  Morgan,  of  Lima,  in  this  State,  confirming 
the  statement  of  Justin  Morgan,  that  the  sire  of  the 
celebrated  Morgan  horses  of  Vt.  came  from  Massa- 
chusetts, instead  of  from  Canada,  as  has  heretofore 
been  supposed.  Mr.  John  Morgan  informs  us  that 
he  resided  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  near  Mr.  Justin  Mor- 
gan, sen.,  previous  to  his  removal  to  Vermont,  and 
that  the  two  years  old  stud  which  he  took  with  him  to 
Vermont,  as  stated  in  our  last  paper,  by  Mr.  J.  Morgan, 
jr.,  ‘ was  sired  by  a horse  owned  by  Sealy  Norton,  of 
East  Hartford,  Conn.,  called  the  True  Briton,  or  Beau- 
tiful Bay ; he  was  kept  at  Springfield  one  season,  by 
the  said  Justin  Morgan,  and,  two  years  after,  I kept 
him  two  seasons.’  This  horse  was  said  to  be  raised  by 
Gen.  Be  Lancey,  commander  of  the  refugee  troops  on 
Long  Island,  and  rode  by  him  in  the  Eevolution.  It 
was  said  that  one  Smith  stole  the  horse  from  the 
General,  at  King’s  Bridge,  while  the  General  was  in 
the  tavern — ran  him  across  the  Bridge,  and  took  him 
to  the  American  army  near  White  Plains,  and  sold 
him  to  Joseph  Ward,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  for  $300.  It 
was  also  said,  at  that  time,  that  he  was  sired  by  the 
noted  imported  horse,  called  the  ‘ Traveler,’  said  to  be 
kept  in  New  Jersey.  Ward  was  a merchant,  and  kept 
the  horse  three  or  four  years  for  a saddle  and  car- 
riage horse,  and  traded  him  off  to  Norton,  and  Norton 
kept  him  for  mares  while  he  lived.  The  description 


102 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


of  the  Morgan  breed,  given  by  Mr.  G,  Barnard,  answers 
well  to  the  description  of  the  stock  of  True  Briton. 

“His  stock  was  all  bright  bays,  some  inclining  to 
sorrel.  I have  always  nnderstood  that  Morgan  kept 
the  colt  for  a stud  at  Randolph,  and  was  very  celebra- 
ted for  his  stock.” 

The  following  extract  from  Mr.  Weissinger’s  letter 
to  “The  Louisville  Journal,”  published  in  the  autumn 
of  1845,  to  Avhich  we  have  before  alluded,  embodies 
one  of  the  stories  that  have  been  circulated  to  some  ex- 
tent in  relation  to  this  matter. 

“ Mr.  Cottrel,  of  this  place,  (Montpelier,  Vt.,)  who 
is  as  well  acquainted  with  horses  as  any  man  in  Ver- 
mont, says  there  is  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  the 
original  Morgan  was  got  by  a Canada  horse.  He  says 
the  most  probable  account  of  his  origin  is  this:  ‘A 
man  by  the  name  of  Smith,  of  Plainfield,  N.  H.,  had.  a 
fine  imported  mare.  He  rode  this  mare  to  Canada  on 
a courting  expedition,  and  while  there  his  mare  got  in 
foal.  Smith  regretted  the  accident,  and  laying  no 
value  upon  the  colt,  he  sold  it  to  Morgan,  a singing-mas- 
ter, who,  when  the  colt  was  grown,  rode  him  around 
on  his  singing  circuit.  When  the  colts  from  Morgan’s 
horse  grew  up,  they  proved  fine,  and  this  gave  him 
celebrity.  He  w^as  a fleet  runner  at  short  distances, 
and  this  originally  induced  the  people  to  try  him.’  ” 

In  the  January  number  of  “ The  Albany  Cultivator  ” 
for  1846,  Vol.  III.,  (new  series,)  page  19,  is  published  a 
letter  from  Frederick  A.  W eir,  of  W alpole.  New  Hamp- 
shire, from  which  we  extract  all  that  in  any  way  re- 
lates to  the  origin  of  the  Morgan  horse,  as  follows : 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


103 


“ For  the  last  fifteen  years  my  business  has  called 
me  frequently  into  almost  all  parts  of  Vermont,  and  I 
have  been  led  to  make  very  extensive  and  particular 
inquiries  into  the  history  of  the  Morgan  horse.  Al- 
though there  are  six  or  eight,  or  more,  different  stories 
in  circulation  in  relation  to  his  origin,  and  several  of 
them  attempted  to  be  supported  by  affidavit,  yet  I per- 
fectly agree  with  you  that  the  account  given  by  Justin 
Morgan’s  son,  Justin  Morgan  2d,  who  is  a merchant 
now  in  business  at  Stockbridge,  Vermont,  and  a gen- 
tleman of  intelligence  and  standing,  extended  and  con- 
firmed by  that  of  Mr.  John  Morgan,  is  the  only  one 
entitled  to  belief. 

“From  my  correspondence  with  Justin  and  John 
Morgan^and  others,  I am  enabled  to  state  the  pedigree 
on  both  sides  of  the  Morgan  horse. 

“He  was  foaled  in  1793,  was  sired  by  True  Briton^ 
or  Beautiful  Bay^  owned  by  Sealy  Horton,  of  East 
Hartford,  Conn.,  and  then  kept  by  John  Morgan  at 
West  Springfield,  Mass.  True  Briton  was  sired  by 
the  imported  horse  Traveller, 

“ The  dam  of  the  Justin  Morgan  horse,  at  the  time 
he  was  sired,  was  owned  by  Justin  Morgan  himself,  at 
Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  then  lived. 

“ The  dam  is  described  by  Mr.  John  Morgan,  who 
knew  her,  as  of  the  Wild-air  breed,  of  middling  size, 
with  a heavy  chest,  of  a very  light  bay  color,  with  a 
bushy  mane  and  tail,  the  hair  on  the  legs  rather  long, 
and  a smooth,  handsome  traveller.  She  was  sired  by 
Diamond^  a thick,  heavy  horse  of  about  the  middling 
size,  with  a thick,  heavy  mane  and  tale,  hairy  legs  and 
a smooth  traveller.  Diamond  was  kept  by  Justin  Mor- 


104 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


gan  himself,  at  the  time  the  dam  of  the  Morgan  horse 
was  sired.  He  was  raised  in  East  Hartford,  Connecti- 
cut. His  sire  Avas  the  Wild-air^  known  as  the  Church 
horse.  His  dam  was  the  noted  imported  mare  Wild- 
air,  owned  by  Capt.  Samuel  Burt,  of  Springfield,  Mass. 
The  Church  horse  was  sired  by  the  horse  Wild-air, 
imported  by  Delaney,  of  Long  Island,  and  as  it  was 
said,  was  afterwards  taken  back  to  England. 

“Mr.  John  Morgan  describes  True  Britton  as  being 
a high-headed  and  hollow,  or  sway -backed  horse,  and 
his  stock  of  such  a description ; and  states  that  the 
Wild-airs  also,  were  generally  so.” 

Under  date  of  Stockbridge,  Vt.,  Feb.  27,  1847,  Mr. 
Justin  Morgan  writes  to  “The  Albany  Cultivator”  as 
follows : 

“There  seems  to  be  some  persons  who  still  continue 
to  suppose  that  there  was  ^ Erench-Canadian  ’ blood  in 
the  original  horse  which  belonged  to  my  father,  Justin 
Morgan,  and  from  which  the  excellent  stock  of  ‘ Mor- 
gan horses  ’ sprung;  Avhile  no  one  who  has  attended  to 
the  clear  proofs  to  the  contrary,  which  have  from  time 
to  time  appeared  in  your  valuable  Journal,  can  noAv 
justly  entertain  any  such  notion. 

“In  the  fall  of  1795,  my  father  brought  the  horse, 
then  a two  years  old  colt,  from  Springfield,  Massachu- 
setts, to  Eandolph,  Vermont.  Mr.  John  Morgan,  of 
Lima,  N.  Y.,  who,  though  of  the  same  name,  is  but  a 
distant  relative  of  my  father’s  family,  then  lived,  as  I 
have  been  informed,  in  Springfield,  and  had  every  op- 
portunity, as  I believe,  of  knowing  the  truth  in  relation 
to  the  horse.  Mr.  J.  Morgan  says  he  was  not  only 
well  acquainted  with  my  father’s  horse,  but  also  with 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


105 


the  sire  of  that  horse,  ‘True  Briton’  or  ‘Beautiful 
Bay,’  and  he  .states  that  he  (Mr.  J.  M.)  kept  the  latter 
horse  at  the  time  my  father’s  colt  was  begotton  by  him. 
He  says,  also,  that  he  was  acquainted  with  ‘ Traveller,’ 

‘ Diamond,’  and  ‘ Wild-air,’  and  at  the  time  knew  them 
to  be  English-blood  horses.  Mr.  John  Morgan  further 
says,  that  however  much  may  have  been  said  relative 
to  my  father  having  brought  the  horse  from  Canada, 
he  knows  that  it  was  not  so.  His  means  of  knowledge, 
and  the  respectability  of  his  character,  entitles  his  state- 
ments to  the  fullest  credit.  The  fact  that  my  father 
died  about  two  and  a half  years  after  he  brought  the 
colt  into  Eandolph,  his  children  all  being  young,  and 
the  horse  having  been  sold  out  of  the  family  very  soon 
after  my  father’s  decease,  may  account  for  his  pedigree 
not  being  better  understood.  I have  a perfect  recol- 
lection of  the  horse  when  my  father  owned  him  and 
afterwards,  and  have  always  lived  where  his  stock  is 
well  known,  and  well  remember  that  my  father  always 
spoke  of  him  as  a horse  of  the  best  blood.  ” 

In  order  to  get  a clearer  idea  of  the  whole  subject, 
let  us  glance  at  some  facts  in  relation  to  Mr.  Justin 
Morgan.  He  was  born  in  1747,  at  West  Springfield, 
Mass.  His  father  was  not  wealthy,  and  was  able  to 
give  Justin  only  a common  education.  He  was  natu- 
rally quick  and  intelligent,  and  by  application  obtained 
a thorough  knowledge  of  the  primary  English  branches, 
was  an  excellent  penman,  and  a very  fine  singer. 
Physically  he  was  tall,  slim,  and  of  feeble  health,  being 
inclined  to  consumption.  In  fact,  he  was  unable  to 
perform  any  manual  labor  of  importance  after  he  was 
twenty  years  old,  and  supported  himself  almost  entire- 
s' 


106 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ly  by  teacliirig  .singing,  writing,  and  common  district 
schools.  As  a teacher,  he  seems  to  have  been  success- 
ful, and  was  very  much  liked  wherever  he  went,  on 
account  of  his  urbane  manners  and  upright  character. 
At  about  thirty  he  was  married,  and  the  fruit  of  this 
connexion  was  one  son  and  four  daughters.  The  son 
was  born  March  15,  1786,  and  was  called  after  his 
father,  Justin. 

In  the  Spring  of  1788  Mr.  Ivlorgan  sold  his  place  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  and  removed  with  his  family  to 
Eandolph,  Vt.  His  vdfe,  Martha,  died  March  20, 
1791,  and  he  died  March  22,  1798.  The  most  import- 
ant of  these  facts,  so  far  as  they  relate  to  our  present 
subject,  are  first,  the  time  at  which  he  removed  his 
family  from  Springfield,  Mass.,  to  Eandolph,  Vt. ; and 
second,  the  time  of  his  death ; and  we  will  here  give 
the  reasons  for  the  statements  we  have  just  made  in  re- 
lation to  these  events. 

In  the  Book  of  Eecord  of  Deeds  of  the  county  of 
Hampshire,  Mass.,  No.  29,  page  29,  it  appears  that  on  the 
12th  of  March,  1788,  Justin  Morgan  sold  to  Abner  Mor- 
gan a lot  of  land  in  West  Springfield,  Mass.,  estimated  to 
contain  about  two-thirds  of  an  acre,  and  upon  which  there 
was  a house  and  barn,  for  the  sum  of  thirty-three  pounds 
seventeen  shillings  and  sixpence.  From  this  time  until 
his  death,  there  is  no  record  of  his  having  conveyed 
any  other  real  estate  in  that  county,  nor  can  we  find 
any  record  of  any  conveyance  of  real  estate  to  him. 

From  this  it  is  clear  that  he  sold  his  property  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  in  the  Spring  of  1788.  It  seems 
equally  clear,  that  he  removed  his  family  to  Eandolph 
the  same  Spring,  for  his  daughter  Nancy  was  born  in 


TTS  ORIGIN.  107 

Randolph,  Vt.,  Sept.  3,  1788,  as  appears  from  the  town 
records. 

That  he  remained  constantly  in  that  town  until  the 
Slimmer  of  1793  is  evident,  for  he  was  chosen  Lister 
March  19,  1789,  and  was  chosen  Town  Clerk  March 
9,  1790,  and  served  the  town  in  that  capacity  until 
March  18,  1793.  As  his  name  appears  from  time  to 
time  in  the  parish  records  of  West  Springfield  previ- 
ous to  1788,  it  is  plain  that  he  lived  there  up  to  the 
time  he  sold  his  place ; and  from  the  facts  we  have  be- 
fore given,  it  is  no  less  plain  that  from  1788  to  1793, 
he  resided  in  Randolph,  Vt. 

That  he  died  in  1798,  is  shown  by  the  record  of 
births,  marriages  and  deaths,  in  the  town  of  Randolph, 
which  reads  ‘^Justin  Morgan  died  March  22,  1798;” 
and  the  same  is  inscribed  upon  his  tombstone  in  the 
burying-ground  at  Randolph  Centre,  Vt.  In  the  me- 
moirs of  Mrs.  Emily  Edgerton,  (a  daughter  of  Justin 
Morgan,)  edited  by  Rufus  Nutting,  and  published  in 
1832,  is  the  following  statement:  ‘‘Among  the  early 
settlers  of  this  town  (Randolph)  was  Justin  Morgan, 
Esq.,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  biographical 
sketch.  Emily  was  the  second  of  his  five  children,  and 
was  born  Eeb.  16,  1784.  In  her  seventh  year,  she  was 
called  to  one  of  the  most  severe  afflictions,  the  loss  of 
a kind  and  faithful  mother.  affection- 

ale  father  survived  her  mother  about  seven  years.”  If 
this  was  correct,  it  might  be  said  that  Justin  Morgan 
died  in  1797  ; but  there  is  evidently  a mistake  in  say- 
ing her  mother  died  when  Emily  was  “in  her  seventh 
year,”  for  her  sister  Polly  was  born  March  10,  1791, 
or  nearly  one  month  after  Emily  was  seven  years  old. 


108 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


and,  as  we  have  before  stated,  her  mother  aied  March 
20,  1791.  (See  town  record.)  Such  an  error  may 
easily  be  accounted  for  by  considering,  that  in  the  me- 
» moirs  referred  to,  the  exact  date  of  her  mother’s  death 
was  not  considered  important,  as  is  manifest  from  the 
general  way  in  which  it  is  stated,  and  the  author  evi- 
dently intended  to  convey  no  other  idea  than  that 
Avhen  about  seven  years  old,  her  mother  died.  A clear 
understanding  of  these  facts  is  necessary,  and  its  im- 
portance will  appear  from  a consideration  of  what  we 
shall  say  in  regard  to  the  foregoing  extracts  relating 
to  the  origin  of  Morgan  horses. 

The  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Morgan  horse,  em- 
bodied in  the  affidavit  of  John  Stevens,  has  been  pretty 
widely  circulated,  and  is  undoubtedly  believed  by 
many  to  this  day.  The  first  objection  that  a thorough 
horseman  would  urge  to  this  statement  would  be,  that 
if  descended  from  a Canadian  sire,  both  he  and  his  stock 
should  bear  a strong  resemblance  to  that  breed  of 
horses ; whereas  nothing  can  be  more  clear  than  that 
in  most  of  their  leading  features  they  are  altogether 
unlike. 

Mr.  George  Barnard,  of  Sherbrook,  Canada  East, 
Avho  has  devoted  years  to  the  breeding  of  horses,  and 
who  has  owned,  and  we  believe  still  owns,  some  very 
fine  racing  stock,  is  an  intelligent  gentleman,  and  all 
Avho  know  him  must  confess  him  to  be  reliable  au- 
thority upon  such  a subject.  In  a letter  to  ‘‘The  Al- 
bany Cultivator,”  under  date  of  October,  25,  1841, 
he  thus  compares  the  Morgan  with  the  Canadian  horse : 
“In  my  communication  on  this  subject,  published  in 
the  late  October  number,  I have  expressed  too  confi- 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


109 


dent  an  opinion  in  saying  I believe  the  original  horse 
(Morgan)  was  of  French  Canadian  origin.  I have 
recently  had  some  acquaintance  with  a Morgan  horse 
endowed  with  all  the  peculiarities  of  the  breed,  suffi- 
cient to  make  me  forbear  any  decided  opinion  on  the 
point  in  question,  until  very  clear  evidence  is  adduced. 
The  affidavit  which  I furnished  is  only  probable,  and 
not  conclusive  testimony  that  the  original  horse  was 
of  Norman-French  descent,  and  procured  in  Montreal. 

The  horse  which  has  been  with  me  of  late  is  one  of 
those  called,  from  being  in-bred,  a full  blooded  Morgan 
— an  absurd  term,  for  it  is  impossible  that  a descend- 
ant can  inherit  full  blood  from  a single  progenitor. 
The  term  full-hlood  or  thorougli-hred  can  only  be  used 
with  propriety  where  the  distinctive  appellation  is 
derived  from  a race  or  sort  which  furnished  both 
parents;  thus  we  may  say  a thorough -bred  or  full- 
blood  English  race-horse,  a full-blood  or  thorough- 
bred Alderney  cow,  if  both  sire  and  dam  were  of  the 
breed  or  sort  designated.  The  term  thorough-bred, 
however,  has  heretofore  almost  exclusively  been  ap- 
plied to  race-horses,  because  for  centuries  before  the 
present,  the  racing  breed  of  horses  has  been  the  only 
breed  of  animals  highly  cultivated,  and  of  which  the 
pedigrees  could  be  proved  by  written  or  printed  docu- 
ments. 

“All  the  accounts,  being  not  less  than  half  a dozen, 
which  I have  heard  of  the  origin  of  the  first  Morgan 
horse,  agree  in  this,  that'  one  Justin  Morgan,  of  Ean- 
dolph,  Yt.,  from  whom  the  name  was  derived,  owned 
the  animal  while  he  was  yet  a colt.  Doubtless  there 
live  persons  who  can  testify  to  his  origin,  whether  or 


110 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


not  it  be  sucli  as  represented  in  the  late  affidavit.  The 
public  would  be  not  only  gratified,  but  greatly  bene- 
fited by  such  evidence.  There  has  probably  never 
been  another  stallion  whose  stock  for  thirty  or  forty 
years  have  produced  so  much  net  profit  to  the 
growers. 

“ I will  now  endeavor  to  point  out  what  appears  to 
be  the  chief  points  of  distinction  between  the  Morgan 
breed  and  the  horses  of  Norman-French  descent,  pro- 
duced in  Canada.  Let  me  premise  that  a great  variety 
of  races  exists  in  the  Canadian  breed,  yet  all  clearly 
impressed  with  a certain  general  character.  The  broad, 
courageous  - looking  head,  with  ears  far  apart,  thick 
neck,  with  general  stoutness  of  frame,  full  breast  and 
strong  shoulder,  with  a round  or  fleshy  croup ; the 
low-set  muscles  and  large  sinews,  with  those  tough 
feet  that  know  not  disease,  are  distinguishing  marks 
of  the  French  Canadian  horse. 

“ The  shagginess  or  abundance  of  hair  in  the  mane 
and  tail  and  on  the  legs  are  much  owing  to  the  severity 
of  the  climate,  with  the  manner  of  rearing  the  animals, 
and  may  be  expected  in  a great  measure  to  disappear 
under  good  cultivation,  long  before  the  innate  excel- 
lencies and  peculiarities  will  perceptibly  change. 

“ The  Morgan  horse  does  not  partake  of  all  these 
marks  in  common  with  the  Canadian.  The  clear,  and 
deep-toned  bay  color,  too,  which  prevails  in  the  Morgan, 
is  rare  among  Canadian  horses.  It  occurs  in  individ- 
uals ; but  unless  characteristic  of  the  race  for  a long 
period  of  time,  it  could  hardly  be  supposed  that  this 
color  would  so  generally  occur  as  it  does  in  the  Morgan 
horses  of  the  present  day.  Peculiaiities  produced  by  a 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


Ill 


single  cross  are  apt  to  wear  away  in  a few  generations, 
unless  maintained  by  careful  selection  on  the  part  of 
the  breeder.  If,  then  (supposing  the  Morgan  horse  to 
have  come  from  Canada),  his  color  was  an  accidental 
variety,  it  would  not  have  so  generally  marked  his 
numerous  offspring,  unless  great  pains  were  taken  to 
preserve  it  by  seleetion,  which  has  not  been  the  case. 

It  appears  evident  from  the  prevalence  of  this  color 
through  several  successive  generations,  as  well  as  the 
similar  descent  of  various  qualities,  which  are  authen- 
ticated as  having  belonged  to  the  first  known  'sire,  that 
the  Morgan  horse,  whatever  may  have  been  its  origin, 
was  of  one  pure  stock ; that  is,  that  he  was  not  cross- 
bred, or  produced  by  the  union  of  two  different  breeds ; 
for  in  that  case,  there  must  have  been  a greater  variety 
in  his  progeny ; some  running  to  one  family,  and  some 
to  the  other,  whereas  a remarkable  similarity  is  known 
to  prevail  in  all  of  this  race.  And  here  we  may  notice 
that  the  breeder  is  apt  to  find  an  essential  difference  in 
the  two  races : the  Morgan,  crossed  or  mixed  with  the 
various  common  breeds,  inclines  to  retain  its  peculiar 
characteristics  and  its  small  size  in  the  offspring  for 
many  generations,  while  all  the  French  Canadian 
races,  though  not  larger  for  the  most  part  than  the 
Morgan,  when  used  as  a cross,  increase  the  size  of  the  * 
progeny,  and  frequently  assimilate  so  that  the  blood 
can  only  bo  recognized  by  a practiced  observer,  in  the 
greater  development  and  robustness  of  form,  and  the 
courage,  spirit,  and  aptness  to  thrive,  which  are  com- 
monly reckoned  as  constitutional  health. 

‘‘  The  Morgans  differ  essentially  from  the  Canadian 
horses  in  their  action  or  mode  ©f  travelling.  A Mor- 


112 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


gan  horse  glides  over  the  ground  eight  or  nine  miles 
an  hour,  with  such  easy  movements  of  his  legs,  that 
one  would  think  they  only  felt  relieved  when  so  em- 
ployed ; the  Canadian,  if  he  has  speed,  seems  to  go  by 
main  strength,  every  stride  arising  plainly  from  a pur- 
posed exertion  of  his  powerful  muscles. 

‘‘  Another  principal  dissimilarity  is  in  the  endurance 
of  4he  feet ; and  here  the  Canadian  horse  has  all  the 
advantage.  The  Morgan  appears  to  be  subject,  as 
much  as  equally  strong-constitutioned  horses  of  any 
breed,  to  founder,  and  other  diseases  of  the  feet,  while 
with  the  Canadian  such  ailments  are  less  known,  per- 
haps, than  with  any  other  breed  in  the  world.  There 
are  numbers  of  horses  in  Canada  that,  under  a mass 
of  shaggy  hair,  possess  dry,  sinewy  legs,  on  which  the 
severest  service  never  raises  a wind-gall.  The  legs  of 
the  Morgan,  though  destitute  of  long  hair,  have  this 
excellent  conformation  in  a very  high  degree. 

“The  Morgan  is  a great  traveller;  an  untiring,  all- 
day horse,  but  seldom  a very  fast-trotter  or  galloper, 
and  less  frequently  a perfect  saddle  horse.  The  Cana- 
dian, if  he  has  the  power  of  rapid  locomotion,  inclines 
for  the  most  part  to  put  forth  his  energies  only  for  a 
short  time,  and  then  to  take  a leisurely  gait,  as  if  a 
slight  sense  of  fatigue  overbalanced  the  alacrity  of  his 
nervous  system.  There  are,  however,  splendid  excep- 
tions to  this  description ; horses  that  with  no  light  load 
behind  them  will  travel  eighty  and  even  ninety  miles 
in  a day.  Some  of  the  light-footed  Canadian  horses, 
too,  are  very  pleasant  under  the  saddle,  though  in 
general  the  weight  of  the  neck  and  uprightness  of  the 
shoulder  disqualify  them  for  this  use.  The  head  of 


v/.oxom  imp 


. nn 


^)Vhi,  •!»>  ^nlr  n<^ya4MdbiHs''Mlod  nir^ 

.Uu'i  • ;j  if  wfl  to  v H^tfi .iilivr,  oh 

-If  » a*^dw  1-^7  »fl>*T  i>  •[  vt  v/*n‘.t  ilouit  hti/ow  fiiro 
/<f  fp  ''r?  (>tnw  V'f'.n  X!  ! ,^!j’.ii'rtiWfeO  m/Ij  ;}r*/oiq 

r I • q > ; T 1 <yfl  V 1 ft f/?lfj  V n i <h ^ i n s -.  7 ^il h i;i  ,•  jn 

(nh  7/  <y  r f(  lo  Ififiiil'fZy  l)*3ftO(( 
»;’:f  *>ili  lu  Hi  v!;'i.  ■ .jff?r..!»  ! lofltofryv 
.,fVl  m;i(  i.r  :■•  m’  ‘*fl<  \o 

*.:>  *p1  <>'■  U:vt <« 

*^'oi'  • • ; . .1-  t i / >.ii  lt‘.»lifll 

■ ‘ ^ - u;  . ' . dJ 

•'  ■•  ' ’ -f'  I ) odj  iljiw 


">•1.,  •:  f '(:-f 

7|^J  i“>irhr 


i mm  ^ ► 


177  nfjrii  .'-jqiul 


‘to  >ix>!  'Jfir  ■ 7 R ‘ '■  ft  '' 

^fJ)l  .O.xi  v,:.f  ( fU<»;!t  .r 


■'  f,-;  ‘ - ?■■/  i;  itohiiim.  If  ■ • 7 

.1’  : .'[f  a<^  r'lM'fVini  W ‘ 

||  , • V>JlO'T*-Ni,t  '(7-1/  n uT<f  :•  ••  :i> 

M ! ' f o;^l  II-  t!Jijh‘>a  r:  ’ ^;i!'>if^flU  i)na 

ryit/inni  / 7 iMto  >/.'  f '• ; j;'!  Vv ’rfiMv : ; “ j r/t4  s*t  li  ^imii 


P;  Tt>t  f't f> rf ‘it-.f  r jr  ; «.i  7*4vf  iH»fU  frlr  ■ 

^ U .-fffi  / yt;<  I!  ' 7,:.r  f .;:!  I 7«  .•Offit  ,* 


. i ‘ t‘*  V '-f'f  X)V' > :!  ‘lU 

.7  70  i!  /rii  7:--;:7' 

' ■•*  ..'  ’*  •-■>  '■■'’f':  ■•••o'!  ' ' •:  ;77/7'M'r7-*b  c>tss.lOf: 

^ ' f ' - ^7  > '•.'•  If  !‘v/i  •!  “■  y laoib  hni‘iwi 

k:  .,ff  ; - f f'.-'  • if  j-  . iXToS  .VJiJ/  i:  i?i 

XIJ  ;V7l’  '•’■  ■ 'fiiXW.;^  7 : ■.4>!,7  * ' ■ v*Tf7‘*'7i;  ,<  ('4 

&ii«  : f * r i);i::  A'JIK’  . ' > 'f^I  iiil-Dayg 

\o  1' i-^il  ori'i^  lo  t»^;  i y!i4Uif^l>  lybijjoila 


COME  T. 


VERMONT 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


113 


the  Morgan,  though  not  less  energetic,  is  somewhat, 
dissimilar  to  that  of  the  Canadian.  The  ears  of  one 
are  upright ; of  the  other,  more  apart.  The  head  of 
the  Canadian  horse  is  broader  at  the  upper  part  than 
that  of  the  other.  Each  has  a great  space  between  the 
eyes,  which  is  considered  a sure  indication  of  energy 
in  an  animal.  The  Morgan  has  the  best  open  nostril 
for  wind  and  bottom,  more  like  that  of  the  race-horse ; 
and  the  whole  of  the  muzzle,  as  well  as  the  eye  and 
ear,  indicate  more  breeding,  or  a longer  cultivation 
than  those  of  the  Canadian.  There  is  a difference  of 
shape  observable  throughout  the  whole  figure.  The 
Morgan  is  long  in  the  side,  but  always  short  on  the 
back,  and  strong  and  beautiful  in  the  loins.  His  fine 
shoulder,  too,  differs  from  that  of  the  Canadian  horse. 
It  is  deep,  well-sloped,  comparatively  thin  at  the  top, 
and  heavy  at  the  bottom,  serving,  conjointly  with  a 
wide  chest,  and  the  fore-legs  set  far  apart,  to  give  the 
horse  an  appearance  of  strength  and  endurance  scarcely 
to  be  looked  for  in  one  of  his  spirit,  and  fleetness.  The 
high-crested  neck,  and  thick  wavy  tail  of  the  Morgan, 
show  much  of  the  character  of  some  races  of  the 
Canadian. 

“Whether  the  Morgan  be  a scion  of  the  Canadian 
stock,  or  be  derived  from  the  Dutch,  or  some  other 
breed  Avhich  has  disappeared  in  the  United  States,  ap- 
pears to  be  a question  of  some  importance  to  those  who 
would  make  good  selections  in  order  to  improve  the 
breed  of  horses,  and  whoever  can  throw  any  light  on 
the  subject  will  gratify  a large  portion  of  your  readers 
by  making  known  his  information  through  ‘The  Culti- 
tivator.’  If  the  French  Canadian  did  not  supply  the 


114 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Morgan,  I,  for  one,  should  be  glad  to  learn  what  other 
breed  has  ever  been  known  upon  this  continent  that 
could  boast  such  excellent  qualities  for  common  serv- 
ice as  are  universally  admitted  to  distinguish  both  of 
these  breeds.” 

The  great  difference  in  form,  temper,  and  general 
character  that  exists  between  French  Canadian  and 
Morgan  horses,  as  pointed  out  in  the  above  letter, 
should  cause  us  to  receive  with  great  caution  any  ac- 
counts ascribing  his  origin  to  the  Canadian  horse. 

Had  Mr.  Barnard  been,  at  the  time  he  penned  the 
foregoing,^  better  acquainted  with  Morgan  horses,  he 
might  have  added  to  his  list  of  important  particulars 
in  which  the  two  breeds  differ  materially.  The  Mor- 
gan horse  is  remarkable  for  the  projection  of  his  ribs 
from  the  spine,  giving  him  a wide  back  and  a round 
barrel ; while  the  Canadian  horse  is  inclined  to  be  flat- 
sided. They  differ  much  in  their  style  of  travelling. 
The  Morgan  raises  his  fore-feet  but  little,  while  the  Ca- 
nadian horse  has  a high  and  labored  action  of  the  fore- 
feet. The  Canadian  horse  is  certainly  very  remark- 
able for  the  excellence  of  his  feet,  but,  however  the 
specimen  Mr.  Barnard  had  may  have  failed  in  this 
respect,  poor  feet  are  of  very  rare  occurrence  among 
Morgan  horses. 

These  remarks  apply  of  course  equally  well  to  all 
accounts  that  ascribe  to  the  Morgan  a French  Canadian 
origin.  As  far  as  the  affidavit  of  Mr.  Stearns  is  con- 
cerned, they  are  not  indispensable,  for  it  can  easily  be 
shown  to  be  erroneous.  Mr.  Stearns  fixes  the  date  of 
the  Justin  Morgan’s  first  appearance  in  St.  Johnsbury 
in  June  of  1804,  which  is  perhaps  correct.  He  says : 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


115 


Uncle  John  said  he  was  a Canadian  horse  that  he 
had  got  from  Justin  Morgan,  of  Eandolph,  who  had 
lately  brought  him  from  Montreal” — that  is  to  say, 
within  a few  weeks,  that  spring,  or,  perhaps,  the  pre- 
vious winter.  Now,  Justin  Morgan  died  March  22d, 
1798,  or  six  years  previous  to  this  time,  as  we  have 
shown. 

With  regard  to  the  statement  of  Mr.  Cottrel,  as 
rendered  by  Mr.  Weissenger,  it  will  be  observed  that 
Mr.  Cottrel  by  no  means  undertakes  to  vouch  for  its 
truth  ; he  does  nothing  of  the  sort,  he  merely  gives  it 
as  the  most  probable  account,  the  most  plausible  story 
in  relation  to  it  that  he  has  heard. 

If  there  was  no  direct  proof  to  contradict  it,  this 
story  would  be  entitled  to  very  little  credit.  It  lacks 
any  definite  points — it  is  stated  in  the  loosest  and  most 
general  way.  Mr.  C.  does  not  give  Mr.  Morgan’s 
Christian  name,  and  our  only  reason  for  inferring  that 
the  Morgan  here  spoken  of  and  Mr.  Justin  Morgan,  are 
one  and  the  same  individuals,  is  the  statement  that  he 
owned  the  founder  of  the  Morgan  breed  of  horses,  and  the 
identity  of  their  vocation — each  being  a singing  teacher 
and  living  in  the  same  vicinity ; for  although  Mr.  C.  does 
not  tell  us  where  Mr.  Morgan  lived,  Ave  are  left  to  sup- 
pose that  he  lived  someAvhere  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mr.  C.,  at  least  in  that  section  of  the  country.  We  are 
not  told  at  what  time  this  Mr.  Smith  sold  this  colt  to 
Morgan,  or  how  old  the  colt  Avas  Avhen  sold ; he  does  not 
explain  hoAv  it  Avas  that  a man  owning  a fine  imported 
mare,  which  Ave  are  allowed  to  infer  must  haA^e  been 
nearly  if  not  quite  thorough-bred  (for  we  are  imme- 
diately told  that  the  colt  became  celebrated  for  running 


116 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


short  races),  should  set  no  value  upon  her  offspring, 
which  from  almost  any  kind  of  sire  must  have  been 
valuable  at  a time  when  racing  stock  was  in  such  de- 
mand and  was  so  rare.  But  we  will  not  pursue  this 
subject  further,  as  the  letter  of  Justin  Morgan,  the 
younger,  seems  to  us  perfectly  clear  and  conclusive  on 
this  point ; and  it  is,  moreover,  confirmed  by  a great 
many  persons  who  were  neighbors  of  Mr.  Morgan’s  at 
the  time  he  brought  the  colt  from  Massachusetts. 

Mr.  David  Goss,  a man  of  high  standing  and  charac- 
ter, who  owned  the  original  Justin  Morgan  seven  years, 
says  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  horse  came  from  Spring- 
field,  Mass.  Mr.  Goss  further  says,  that  he  had  no 
written  pedigree  of  the  horse,  but  that  he  bought  him 
believing  him  to  be  partly  thorough-bred,  and  that  no 
question  was  ever  made  of  it,  so  far  as  he  knew,  during 
the  lifetime  of  the  horse.  The  letters  of  Justin  and 
John  Morgan  comprise  all  the  important  facts  that  can 
now  be  obtained  in  relation  to  the  place  where  the 
horse  originated ; and  we  can  see  no  reason  to  doubt 
that  he  was  sired  by  True  Briton,  as  is  clearly  and  dis- 
tinctly stated  by  Mr.  J.  Morgan.  No  account  of  the 
pedigree  of  the  horse  was  reduced  to  writing  during 
the  lifetime  of  Mr.  Justin  Morgan,  and  the  accounts  he 
gave  verbally  have  been  remembered  somewhat  differ- 
ently by  different  individuals.  All  accounts  (as  before 
remarked)  agree  that  he  had  racing  blood  in  his  veins ; 
some  insist  that  it  came  from  the  sire,  some  that  it  came 
from  the  dam,  and  still  others  that  it  came  from  both. 
Even  if  we  had  no  evidence,  except  what  is  derived 
from  the  descriptions  given  of  him  and  from  his  stock, 
we  should  know  that  he  was  not  a stranger  to  blood. 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


117 


His  clean,  lean  head — his  broad  forehead — bold,  full 
and  prominent  eyes — delicate  ears,  and  flat,  long  legs, 
give  unmistakable  evidence  of  a large  infusion  of  racing 
or  Arabian  blood.  Youatt  says : Few  things  indicate 

more  clearly  the  blood  of  the  horse  than  the  form  of 
the  frontal  bones.  Who  has  not  remarked  the  broad, 
angular  forehead  of  the  blood-horse,  giving  him  a beau- 
tiful expression  of  intelligence  and  fire,  and  the  face 
gradually  tapering  from  the  forehead  to  the  muzzle, 
contrasted  with  the  large  face  of  the  cart  or  dray-horse, 
and  the  forehead  scarcely  Avider  than  the  face.  It  is 
equally  true,  that  his  exceedingly  compact  form,  short 
and  upright  pasterns,  his  short  stride,  and  the  small 
space  betAveen  the  hip-bones  and  ribs,  assure  us  of  a 
different  origin  in  part. 

With  regard  to  his  sire,  we  think  there  can  be  no 
reasonable  doubt  that  he  was  sired  by  True  Briton,  as 
John  Morgan  positively  states.  The  fact  that  Mr.  Mor- 
gan kept  True  Briton  two  years,  adds  great  weight  to 
his  testimony,  for  it  not  only  shows  that  he  had  the 
best  means  of  knowing  the  facts  he  states,  but  his  in- 
terest in  the  horse  Avould  fully  account  for  his  remem- 
bering them  distinctly  so  long  a time.  But  Avith  regard 
to  the  blood  of  True  Briton,  Mr.  Morgan  does  not 
state  positively— though  he  is  not  in  doubt  as  to  the 
fact  of  the  horse  having  been  purchased  by  Mr.  Joseph 
Ward,  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  for  three  hundred  dollars, 
of  some  person  who  Avas  said  to  have  stolen  him  from 
Gen.  Be  Lancey. 

The  letter  of  John  Morgan  seems  to  us  conclusive 
evidence  with  regard  to  the  sire  of  the  Justin  Morgan. 
John  Morgan  Avas  a man  of  high  character  for  candor, 


118 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


truthfulness  and  intelligence.  He  lived  at  Springfield 
at  the  time  the  Morgan  horse  was  sired,  and  at  the  time 
Justin  Morgan  removed  to  Vermont.  He  kept  True 
Briton,  or  Beautiful  Bay,  two  years,  and  he  states  that 
Justin  Morgan  kept  him  one  year.  Living  on  the 
ground,  and  being  interested  in  the  sire  of  the  Morgan 
horse,  he  had  every  means  of  knowledge.  His  letter 
contains  within  itself  evidence  of  the  care  and  caution 
of  John  Morgan.  When  he  speaks  of  facts  known  to 
himself,  he  states  them  positively : as,  that  he  was  sired 
by  True  Briton,  or  Beautiful  Bay,  owned  by  Selah 
Norton,  of  Hartford,  Conn. ; that  he  was  kept  at  Spring- 
field  one  season  by  Justin  Morgan,  and  two  years  after- 
wards was  kept  two  seasons  by  himself.  When  he  comes 
to  speak  of  the  origin  of  True  Briton,  he  does  not  say 
that  he  was  raised  by  Gen.  Be  Lancey,  though  he  no 
doubt  believed  so,  but  with  commendable  caution  he 
says,  he  (True  Briton)  ^’‘was  said  to  be  raised  by  Gen. 
De  Lancey,  commander  of  the  refugee  troops  on  Long 
Island,  and  rode  by  him  in  the  Eevolution.  It  was  said 
that  one  Smith  stole  the  horse  from  the  General,  at 
King’s  Bridge,  while  the  General  was  in  the  tavern, 
ran  him  across  the  bridge  and  took  him  to  the  Ameri- 
can army,  near  White  Plains,  and  sold  him  to  Joseph 
Ward,  of  Hartford,  Conn.  It  was  also  said  at  that  time^ 
that  he  was  sired  by  the  noted  imported  horse  called 
the  Traveller,  said  to  he  kept  in  New  Jersey.”  Again : 
when  he  comes  to  speak  of  Ward,  he  says  positively 
that  Ward  w^as  a merchant,  and  kept  the  horse  three 
or  four  years  for  a saddle  and  carriage  horse,  and  traded 
him  off  to  Norton,  &c.,  for  these  facts  were  within  his 
own  knowledge  and  he  was  certain.  Again,  when  he 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


119 


comes  to  speak  of  wliat  became  of  the  colt,  we  observe 
the  same  caution.  He  says : have  always  understood 

that  Morgan  kept  the  colt  for  a stud  at  Kandolph, 
and  was  very  celebrated  for  his  stock.”  The  considerate 
reader  of  this  letter  will  not  fail  to  see  that  it  contains 
the  strongest  evidence  of  the  honesty  and  sincerity  of 
John  Morgan,  and  that  it  shows  (what  is  nearly  as 
valuable  in  such  a matter)  that  John  Morgan  thought- 
fully and  carefully  distinguished  between  what  he  had 
a personal  knowledge  of  and  what  he  believed  on  the 
statements  of  others.  If  all  inquirers  on  this  subject 
had  used  the  same  care,  much  error  would  have  been 
avoided. 

Mr.  Morgan  is  not,  however,  the  only  authority  in 
relation  to  the  blood  of  True  Briton.  In  “ The  Connec- 
ticut Courant”for  April  26th,  1791,  appeared  an  adver- 
tisement of  Selah  Norton’s,  from  which  the  following 
extracts  are  made : 

“Beautiful  Bay  will  cover  (for  the  benefit  of  the 
public)  for  155.  the  season,  cash  or  grain,  next  fall. 

* * * ^ His  sire  was  the  imported  horse 

Traveller,  owned  in  New  Jersey.  His  dam,  He  Lancey’s 
imported  racer.  Ten  pounds  was  offered  for  one  of  his 
colts  when  ten  days  old,  at  Lanesborough.  * 

* * He  is  in  his  prime,  in  fine  order,  bright  bay, 
fifteen  hands  high,  trots  and  canters  very  light. 

“SELAH  NOETON.” 

In  the  above  advertisement,  it  is  stated  that  he  had 
been  kept  at  Springfield,  which  corroborates  the  state- 
ment of  John  Morgan. 

The  fact  that  True  Briton  was  stolen  from  General 


120 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


De  Lancey,  at  King’s  Bridge,  seems  to  admit  of  little 
doubt,  for  the  story  is  confirmed  by  many  persons 
living  in  Connecticut,  who  well  recollect  the  occurrence, 
and  we  have  never  heard  but  one  version  of  the  story 
in  all  its  main  features,  though  told  by  many  different 
individuals. 

The  striking  harmony  that  may  be  noticed  between 
these  accounts  of  the  manner  in  which  True  Briton 
was  brought  into  Connecticut,  is  very  strong  evidence 
of  their  correctness;  and  the  harmony  is  itself  accounted 
for,  by  the  singular  manner  in  which  he  was  obtained. 

Such  a fact,  as  the  stealing  of  a valuable  horse  from 
a British  officer,  and  escaping  with  him,  was  no  every- 
day occurrence.  It  would  be  known  to  all  the  sur- 
rounding country  in  a very  short  time,  and  the  man 
who  stole  him,  instead  of  being  shunned  as  a thief, 
would  be  respected  as  the  hero  of  a successful  foray 
into  the  enemy’s  country. 

The  fact  that  the  horse  was  a valuable  one,  and  was, 
after  a time,  kept  for  a stock  horse,  in  that  section  of 
the  country,  -would  tend  to  keep  alive  in  the  minds  of 
those  who  knew  him,  the  singular  circumstances  of  his 
coming  into  the  country.  Although  Mr.  John  Morgan 
does  not  assert  that  True  Briton,  or  Beautiful  Bay, 
was  sired  by  Traveller,  yet  it  is  plain  that  he  believed 
him  to  be  : and  Mr.  Norton,  in  the  advertisement  just 
quoted,  distinctly  states  it.  To  this  statement  it  may 
be  objected,  that  Norton  might  have  been  in  error, 
for  admitting  that  the  horse  was  stolen  from  De  Lan- 
cey, it  is  not  likely  that  Norton  could  have  obtained  a 
written  voucher  of  his  pedigree  from  his  previous 
owners ; for  horse  thieves,  though  they  often  manifest 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


121 


excellent  judgment  in  the  choice  of  animals,  yet  they 
rarely  take  much  pains  to  secure  their  pedigree.  But 
it  must  be  remembered,  that  though  the  owners  of  True 
Briton  may  have  had  no  written  certificate  of  his 
pedigree  from  his  breeder,  yet  there  were  many  ways 
in  which  it  could  be  established.  De  Lancey  was  a 
man  of  fortune  and  notoriety,  and  had  many  servants 
who  would  know  as  much  of  the  pedigree  of  his  favor- 
ite horse,  as  he  did. 

Selah  Norton  was,  in  early  life,  a man  of  property, 
and  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  fine  horses.  His  inter- 
est in  the  horse  would  have  prompted  him  to  make 
every  exertion  to  discover  his  pedigree,  and  that  he 
did  so  seems  evident,  from  the  direct  manner  in  which 
it  is  stated  in  the  advertisement  before  mentioned,  and 
also  from  the  additional  consideration,  that,  such  was 
generally  believed  to  be  the  fact  at  that  time,  and  so 
far  as  we  can  learn,  was  entirely  undisputed. 

With  regard  to  the  dam  of  True  Briton  : Mr.  Nor- 
ton asserts  that  she  was  ^‘Mr.  De  Lancey ’s  imported 
racer.”  We  believe  there  is  no  record  of  any  impor- 
tation of  such  an  animal  by  De  Dancey,  except  the 
celebrated  Cub  mare,  which  he  brought  from  England 
with  Wild-air.  But  had  True  Briton  been  sired  by 
Traveller,  and  foaled  by  the  Cub  mare,  he  could  hardly 
have  escaped  being  noticed  by  “ The  American  Farmer,” 
or  ‘^Turf  Eegister,”  especially  as  the  produce  of  the  Cub 
maro  was  published  in  the  Eegister,  though  not  until 
many  years  after. 

While  it  may  be  doubted  if  the  Cub  mare  were  the 
dam  of  True  Briton,  or  even  whether  his  dam  was 
imported,  it  seems  to  us  altogether  probable  that  she 
6 


122 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


was  a high-bred  animal,  for  an  officer  of  De  Lancey’s 
rank,  wealth,  and  taste  for  horses,  would  not  only  have 
been  ‘^well  mounted,”  but  he  would  not  have  been 
likely  to  use  for  the  saddle  a horse  not  highly-bred, 
especially  as  his  father’s  stables  gave  ample  scope  for 
the  selection  of  a fine  animal  of  this  description ; nor, 
on  the  other  hand,  is  it  probable  that  he  rode  a stallion 
whose  pedigree  could  be  traced,  on  the  side  of  both 
sire  and  dam,  through  the  best  families  of  the  English 
race-horse  without  a fiaw,  (as  it  could  have  been,  had 
he  been  sired  by  Traveller,  and  his  dam  the  Cub  mare,) 
for  such  a horse,  had  he  been  a good  riding  animal, 
would  have  been  very  valuable,  and  highly  prized  by 
breeders  of  race  horses,  and  would  have  been  kept  ex- 
clusively for  stock.  General  De  Lancey  (we  think  he 
was  a Colonel),  from  whom  True  Briton  was  stolen, 
was  not  (as  has  been  sometimes  supposed)  the  importer 
of  Wild-air,  Lath,  the  Cub  mare,  &c. ; these  horses  were 
imported  by  his  father,  James  De  Lancey,  a son  of 
Lieutenant-Governor  James  De  Lancey,  a wealthy  and 
prominent  man,  and  for  many  years  a member  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New- York;  he  was 
an  extensive  breeder  of  race-horses,  and  owned  many 
celebrated  animals  in  addition  to  those  we  have  men- 
tioned. He  visited  England  in  1775,  and  the  war  soon 
after  breaking  out,  he  never  returned. 

L.  G.  Morris,  Esq.,  of  Fordham,  N.  Y.,in  his  ‘‘Sixth 
Catalogue  of  Domestic  Animals,”  page  79,  gives  another 
account  of  the  origin  of  True  Briton.  After  giving 
an  extract  from  John  Morgan’s  letter,  he  says  : “ The 
other  account  I got  in  person,  from  Mr.  Andrew  Corsa, 
a near  neighbor  of  mine,  and  ninety  years  old.  Mr, 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


123 


Corsa  resided  within  the  lines  and  near  King’s  Bridge, 
during  the  Eevolution ; he  knew  General  Be  Lancey 
well,  and  also  his  horse  which  Smith  stole  from  him 
at  King’s  Bridge. 

‘‘Upon  direct  inquiry  of  Mr.  Corsa,  upon  whom  I 
called  with  Mr.  Howard  of  ‘ The  Boston  Cultivator,’  ex- 
pressly to  inquire  as  to  the  above  horse,  he  stated  he  was 
blood  bay  of  fine  size  and  strength,  and  he  had  repeat- 
edly seen  Gen.  De  Lancey  jump  him  back  and  forth 
over  a five-rail  fence,  for  the  amusement  of  bystanders, 
and  that  he  understood  him  to  have  been  a horse  sent 
over  from  England.”  The  only  respect  in  which  this 
account  differs  from  the  one  we  have  given  is,  that 
Mr.  Corsa  says : “he  understood  him  to  be  a horse  sent 
over  from  England.”  It  seems  Mr.  Corsa  was  ninety 
years  old  at  the  time  he  gave  this  information,  and  in 
estimating  the  value  of  his  testimony,  much  allowance 
must  be  made  for  the  infirmities  of  age,  and  the  long 
time  that  had  elapsed  since  the  events  of  which  he 
speaks  transpired.  So  the  nature  of  the  different  facts 
he  states  must  be  considered ; for  while  the  fact  that 
a fine  looking  bay  horse  should  be  made  to  jump  a 
five-rail  fence,  in  the  presence  of  a collection  of  people, 
would  be  likely,  from  its  novelty  and  interest,  to  make 
a lasting  impression  on  all  who  saw  it ; yet  few  of  the 
spectators,  if  informed  of  the  pedigree  of  the  horse  at 
the  time,  would  long  remember  it. 

So  that  even  had  Mr.  Corsa  stated  that  True  Briton 
was  an  imported  horse,  it  could  hardly  be  allowed  to 
weigh  against  the  published  statement  of  Mr.  Norton, 
who  was  the  owner  of  True  Briton,  and  published  his 
pedigree  while  the  horse  was  in  his  prime,  and  when 


124 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Ave  cannot  doubt  that  the  fact  of  his  having  been  im- 
ported could  have  been  easily  ascertained  had  it  been 
the  case.  Nor  can  we  for  a moment  suppose  that  Mr. 
Norton  would  fail  to  publish  the  fact,  were  it  true, 
for  he  had  abundant  means  of  ascertaining,  and  the 
value  of  the  animal  as  a stock  horse  would  have 
been  much  enhanced  could  he  have  established  it. 

But  Mr.  Corsa  does  not  say  that  True  Briton  was 
an  imported  horse;  he  simply  says  he  ^‘‘understood  him 
to  have  been  a horse  sent  over  from  England,”  and 
certainly  such  a loose,  general,  and  indefinite  assertion 
made  by  a man  of  Mr.  Corsa’s  age,  concerning  a matter 
some  seventy  years  old,  and  a matter  in  which  he  had 
no  direct  interest,  can  be  entitled  to  but  little  weight. 
Immediately  after  the  passage  we  have  already  quoted 
from  the  catalogue  of  Mr.  Morris,  is  the  following  sen- 
tence: “The  ‘Black  Hawk,’  and  ‘Morgan’  of  the 
present  day  seem  to  differ  in  appearance  from  the 
original  stock,  as  they  are  rather  on  the  pony  order, 
and  very  seldom  more  than  fifteen  hands  high.” 

Mr.  Morris  is  evidently  mistaken  as  to  the  size  of 
True  Briton,  for  he  manifestly  believes  him  to  have 
been  a fine  horse,  while,  according  to  the  standard 
he  sets  up,  he  was  simply  a pony^  as  it  will  be  seen 
that  Mr.  Norton  does  not  claim  he  was  a fraction  over 
fifteen  hands  hio-h. 

O 

Finally  we  repeat,  that  though  the  owners  of  True 
Briton  in  Connecticut  may  have  had  no  written  evi- 
dence of  his  pedigree  from  his  breeder,  yet  they  may 
have  been  able  to  satisfy  themselves  and  the  public 
that  he  was  sired  by  Traveller,  and  from  a highly- 
bred,  if  not  an  imported  mare ; and  it  is  very  certain 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


125 


that  such  was  generally  believed  to  have  been  his 
origin. 

That  he  was  a very  valuable  animal  is  evident  from 
the  price  Ward  paid  for  him,  three  hundred  dollars 
being  as  extravagant  a price  for  a carriage  or  saddle 
horse  at  that  day  as  one  thousand  dollars  would  be 
now. 

With  regard  to  the  pedigree  of  the  dam  of  the  Justin 
Morgan,  the  only  statement  we  remember  to  have  seen 
is  that  published  by  F.  A.  Weir,  as  we  have  already 
given  it.  If  this  pedigree  is  correct,  the  dam  must' 
have  been  at  least  three-eighths  thorough-bred.  But 
there  is  a grave  mistake  in  the  very  first  sentence  of 
the  account  published  by  Mr.  Wier,  that  very  materi- 
ally diminishes  the  credit  that  might,  perhaps,  otherwise 
attach  to  the  rest  of  the  history.  He  says,  The  dam 
of  the  Justin  Morgan  horse  at  the  time  he  was  sired, 
was  owned  by  Justin  Morgan  himself,  at  Springfield, 
Mass.,  where  he  then  lived and  he  says  (as  was 
no  doubt  true),  that  he  was  foaled  in  1793,  conse- 
quently he  was  sired  in  1792  ; but  Mr.  Morgan,  as  we 
have  already  shown,  removed  from  Springfield  to  Ean- 
dolph,  Vt.,  with  his  family,  in  1788,  and  remained  con- 
stantly at  Eandolph  until  1793 ; and  as  he  was  a poor 
man,  and  owned  no  real  estate  in  Springfield,  it  is  not 
likely  that  he  owned  and  left  any  horses  there. 

Mr.  Weir  says  Mr.  John  Morgan  describes  the  dam 
of  the  Justin  Morgan  as  of  the  Wild- air  breed,  and 
this  may  have  been  so;  but  some  degree  of  doubt 
must  necessarily  attach  to  any  statements  made  by 
persons  of  an  advanced  age,  concerning  the  pedigree 
of  animals  possessing  no  remarkable  qualities  tliat 


126 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


did  not  belong  to  tbem,  and  that  lived  and  died  many 
years  before,  If  this  statement  of  Mr.  Morgan  was 
correct,  it  does  not  assert  that  the  dam  was  thorough- 
bred, it  means  simply  that  she  had  some  of  Wild-air’s 
blood  in  her  veins,  just  as  we  now  say  a mare  is  of  the 
‘‘  Messenger  breed,”  who  may  not  have  one-twentieth 
of  Old  Messenger’s  blood  in  her. 

If  we  may  be  allowed  to  judge  of  the  correctness 
of  this  pedigree  from  the  appearance  of  the  descend- 
ants of  the  Justin  Morgan,  we  should  say  there  could 
be  no  reason  to  doubt  his  near  relation  to  the  thorough- 
bred or  Arabian ; for  even  those  who  think  least  of 
the  Morgan  breed  of  horses,  agree  that  they  must  have 
sprung  from  rich  high  blood,”  as  even  the  “ distin- 
guished judge  of  horses  from  YeriTiont”  admits  it. 

It  is  thought  by  some  that  the  dam  of  the  Justin 
Morgan  was  a descendant  of  Lindsey’s  Arabian,  which 
was  imported  into  Connecticut  in  1766,  being  then 
four  years  old.  This  idea  seems  to  have  been  founded 
principally  upon  the  resemblance  of  the  Justin  Morgan 
to  the  stock  of  that  celebrated  horse,  and  indeed  we 
are  not  aware  that  there  is  any  other  ground  for  this 
opinion ; still  it  is  entitled  to  some  respect,  for  a close 
and  striking  resemblance  between  different  animals 
in  most  of  their  leading  characteristics,  is  certainly 
strong  evidence  of  their  relationship.  There  can  be 
little  question  that  there  was  a strong  resemblance  be- 
tween them.  The  descendants  of  the  Lindsey  Arabian 
were  celebrated  for  their  compactness,  speed  and  en- 
durance, and  for  an  exceedingly  playful  and  tractable 
temper ; they  were  highly  esteemed  throughout  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts,  and  were  most  numerous 


STRANGER 


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ITS  ORIGIN. 


127 


along  the  valley  of  Connecticut  Kiver.  Many  of  the 
cavalry  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Boston,  iix  1775  and 
1776,  were  mounted  on  these  horses,  and  their  extraor- 
dinary qualities  attracted  the  notice  of  General  Wash- 
ington. Acting  upon  his  advice,  Mr.  Lindsey  found 
and  purchased  the  horse  that  has  since  borne  his  name, 
and  took  him  to  Virginia.  Previous  to  this  time  he 
had  been  called  Eanger.  Not  only  had  the  stock  of  this 
horse  become  well  and  favorably  known  in  the  locali- 
ties we  have  mentioned,  but  at  that  time  a great  deal 
of  interest  was  manifested  throughout  the  country  in 
Arabian  or  thorough-bred  stock,  and  it  is  evident  that 
Eanger  was,  then,  the  sire  of  a very  numerous  progeny, 
or  they  would  not  have  been  in  the  army  in  sufficient 
numbers  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  Commander-in- 
chief.  It  cannot,  therefore,  fairly  be  objected  to  this 
hypothesis,  that  the  descendants  of  the  Lindsey  Arabian 
were  too  uncommon  to  render  it  probable. 

A strong  resemblance  to  the  Arahian^  True  Briton 
would  derive  through  his  sire,  as  few  horses  have  been 
imported  from  England  so  nearly  related  to  Arabians  as 
was  Morton’s  Traveller.  He  was  foaled  in  1748,  and 
was  imported  to  Virginia  when  about  five  years  old. 
He  was  got  by  Croft’s  Partner.  Partner  was  by  Jigg,  a 
son  of  the  Byerly  Turk,  and  his  dam  was  by  Cur  wen’s 
Bay  Barb,  his  g.  dam  was  by  Sport,  and  his  g.  g.  dam 
by  the  chestnut,  white  legged,  Lowther  Barb.  The  dam 
of  Morton’s  Traveller  was  by  Bloody  Buttocks,  an  Ara- 
bian. It  has  been  often  stated  that  Morton’s  Traveller 
was  by  O’Kelly’s  Eclipse,  his  dam  by  King  Herod, 
grand  dam  by  Blank,  great  grand  dam  by  Cade,  and 
Cade  by  the  Godolphin  Arabian,  &c.  This,  however,  is 


128 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


I 


a mistake,  the  latter  pedigree  being  that  of  another 
“ Traveller”  imported  in  1797.  This  pedigree  was  pub- 
lished as  the  pedigree  of  Morton’s  Traveller  in  the 
third  volume  of  the  “American  Turf  Eegister,”  but 
was  corrected  in  the  seventh  volume,  and  is  also  cor- 
rectly stated  in  the  fourth  volume,  page  43. 

It  may  be  said,  by  some,  that  it  is  surprising  nothing 
should  be  found  among  the  papers  of  Justin  Morgan 
relating  in  some  way  to  this  horse,  and  that  we  should 
expect  the  different  owners  of  the  horse  would  have 
made  every  effort  to  ascertain  his  pedigree,  and  that 
some  of  them  would  have  succeeded,  as  at  that  time 
many  persons  must  have  been  living  iji  Massachusetts 
that  at  least  knew  his  dam  and  her  sire. 

The  answer  to  the  first  objection  is,  that  none  of  Justin 
Morgan’s  papers  or  books  have  been  preserved  in  the 
family,  not  even  a letter  or  a family  bible.  As  before 
stated,  his  family  was  broken  up  in  1793  or  1794,  and 
from  that  time  until  his  death  in  1798,  he  may  be  said 
to  have  had  no  home,  but  lived  first  in  one  neighbor- 
hood while  he  could  find  employment  as  a teacher, 
and  then  removing  to  some  new  field.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  his  children  had  not  attained  their  major- 
ity, and  there  being  no  one  to  look  after  them,  his 
papers  (if  he  had  any)  were  lost.  Nor  was  it  likely 
that  he  gave  any  written  statement  of  his  pedigree  to 
some  third  person,  for  it  must  be  remembered  that  he 
was  not  a farmer,  or  a breeder  of  horses,  and  he  had 
not  brought  his  horse  to  Vermont  to  improve  the  breed 
of  horses  there ; but  he  kept  him  to  ride  from  school 
to  school. 

Thus  situated,  it  could  not  be  expected  that  he  would 


ITS  ORIGIN. 


129 


make  any  effort  to  bring  him  into  favor  with  his  farm- 
ing neighbors  by  explaining  his  pedigree,  and  enlarg- 
ing upon  the  noble  and  extraordinary  qualities  of  his 
ancestors.  Still,  as  he  had  owned  the  horse  since  ha 
was  two  years  old,  he  would  know  something  of  hiS 
pedigree,  and  would  be  apt  occasionally  to  mention 
it  to  such  persons  as  saw  and  admired  his  spirited  colt. 
Finally,  it  must  be  remembered  that  Morgan  died  be- 
fore his  horse  had  arrived  at  full  maturity. 

The  reason  why  no  effort  was  earlier  made  to  ascer- 
tain his  pedigree  by  his  owners,  or  others,  was  that  for 
a long  time  he  was  not  fully  appreciated.  After  Mr. 
Morgan’s  death  he  passed  into  the  hands  of  persons 
who  had  but  a poor  opinion  of  him,  and  instead  of 
keeping  him  expressly  for  stock,  put  him  to  the  sever- 
est kinds  of  labor,  and  it  was  not  until  several  years 
had  elapsed,  and  his  colts  began  to  be  highly  esteemed, 
that  any  inquiry  was  made  as  to  his  pedigree.  So 
much  time  had  then  elapsed  since  he  came  into  the 
country,  that  it  was  then  attended  with  much  difficulty  ; 
and  any  one  who  has  tried  it,  must  bear  witness,  that 
tracing  genealogies  is  one  of  the  slowest  and  most  per- 
plexing kinds  of  business.  This,  together  with  the 
want  of  any  easy  and  rapid  communication  between  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country  to  facilitate  inquiry,  seems 
to  have  prevented  any  persistent  search  for  the  facts. 

We  have  devoted  more  time  and  space  to  this  sub- 
iect  than  may  be . thought  advisable  by  some  of  our 
readers,  as  no  pedigree,  however  perfectly  it  might  be 
established,  or  how  far  back  it  might  be  traced,  through 
any  breed  of  horses,  could  enhance  the  value  of  the 
race  at  the  present  time ; for,  as  an  intelligent  writer 


130 


THP:  MORGAN  HORSE. 


has  observed : Before  animals  have  produced  pro- 

geny, the  best  evidence  of  what  their  progeny  will  be, 
is  what  their  ancestors  have  been,  because  there  is  a 
tendency  to  breed  back.  Animals  of  the  same  blood, 
however,  are  not  equally  valuable  as  breeders ; hence, 
the  surest  evidence  of  the  value  of  a breeding  animal, 
is  the  character  of  the  stock  it  produces.  Thus  the 
value  of  pedigree  consists  in  affording,  in  advance,  an 
indication  of  the  value  of  an  animal  as  a breeder,  but 
the  character  of  the  offspring  and  descendants  may  be 
regarded  as  exhibiting  the  degree  of  value  it  possesses ; 
the  one  may  be  regarded  as  prima  facia  evidence,  the 
other  as  demonstrative.”  Pedigree  is,  however,  valu- 
able in  another  respect,  and  cannot  be  too  carefully 
preserved  by  breeders.  By  preserving  the  pedigrees 
of  animals,  we  are  enabled  to  see  the  result  of  the 
various  crossings  of  different  breeds  and  families  ; can 
shun  the  errors  of  former  generations,  and  take  advan- 
tage of  their  success. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


MEMOIR  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 

The  original,  or  Justin  Morgan,  was  about  fourteen 
hands  high,  and  weighed  about  nine  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds.  His  color  was  dark-bay  with  black  legs, 
mane  and  tail.  He  had  no  white  hairs  on  him.  His 
mane  and  tail  were  coarse  and  heavy,  but  not  so  mas- 
sive as  has  been  sometimes  described ; the  hair  of 
both  was  straight,  and  not  inclined  to  curl.  His  head 
was  good,  not  extremely  small,  but  lean  and  bony,  the 
face  straight,  forehead  broad,  ears  small  and  very  fine, 
but  set  rather  wide  apart.  His  eyes  were  medium 
size,  very  dark  and  prominent,  with  a spirited  but 
pleasant  expression,  and  showed  no  white  round  the 
edge  of  the  lid.  His  nostrils  were  very  large,  the 
muzzle  small,  and  the  lips  close  and  firm.  His  back 
and  legs  were  perhaps  his  most  noticeable  points.  The 
former  was  very  short ; the  shoulder-blades  and  hip 
bones  being  very  long  and  oblique,  and  the  loins  ex- 
ceedingly broad  and  muscular.  His  body  Avas  rather 
long,  round  and  deep,  close  ribbed  up ; chest  deep  and 
Avide,  Avith  the  breast-bone  projecting  a good  deal  in 
front.  His  legs  were  short,  close  jointed,  thin,  but 
very  wide,  hard  and  free  from  meat,  Avith  muscles  that 
were  remarkably  large  for  a horse  of  his  size,  and  this 

superabundance  of  muscle  exhibited  itself  at  every 

(181) 


132 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


step.  His  hair  was  short,  and  at  almost  all  seasons 
soft  and  glossy.  He  had  a little  long  hair  about  the 
fetlocks,  and  for  two  or  three  inches  above  the  fetlock 
on  the  back-side  of  the  legs  ; the  rest  of  the  limbs  were 
entirely  free  from  it.  His  feet  were  small  but  well 
shaped,  and  he  was  in  every  respect  perfectly  sound 
and  free  from  any  sort  of  blemish.  He  was  a very 
fast  walker.  In  trotting  his  gait  was  low  and  smooth, 
and  his  step  short  and  nervous  ; he  was  not  what  in 
these  days  would  be  called  fast,  and  we  think  it  doubt- 
ful whether  he  could  trot  a mile  much  if  any  within 
four  minutes,  though  it  is  claimed  by  many  that  he 
could  trot  it  in  three. 

Although  he  raised  his  feet  but  little,  he  never  stum- 
bled. His  proud,  bold  and  fearless  style  of  movement, 
and  his  vigorous,  untiring  action,  have,  perhaps,  never 
been  surpassed.  When  a rider  was  on  him,  he  was 
obedient  to  the  slightest  motion  of  the  rein,  would 
walk  backv/ards  rapidly  under  a gentle  pressure  of  the 
bit,  and  moved  side-ways  almost  as  willingly  as  he 
moved  forward ; in  short,  was  perfectly  trained  to  all 
the  paces  and  evolutions  of  a parade  horse ; and  when 
ridden  at  military  reviews  (as  was  frequently  the 
case),  his  bold,  imposing  style,  and  spirited,  nervous 
action,  attracted  universal  attention  and  admiration. 
He  was  perfectly  gentle  and  kind  to  handle,  and  loved 
to  be  groomed  and  caressed,  but  he  disliked  to  have 
children  about  him,  and  had  an  inveterate  hatred  for 
dogs,  if  loose  always  chasing  them  out  of  sight  the  in- 
stant he  saw  them. 

When  taken  out  with  halter  or  bridle  he  was  in  con- 
stant motion,  and  very  playful. 


THK  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 


183 


He  was  a fleet  runner  at  short  distances.  Running 
horses  short  distances  for  small  stakes  was  very  com- 
mon in  Vermont  fifty  years  ago.  Eighty  rods  was 
very  generally  the  length  of  the  course,  which  usually 
commenced  at  a tavern  or  grocery,  and  extended  the 
distance  agreed  upon,  up  or  down  the  public  road.  In 
these  races  the  horses  were  started  from  a ‘‘■scratch,” 
that  is,  a mark  was  drawn  across  the  road  in  the  dirt, 
and  the  horses,  ranged  in  a row  upon  it,  went  off  at 
“the  drop  of  a hat”  or  some  other  signal.  It  will 
be  observed  that  the  form  of  the  J ustin  Morgan  was 
not  such  as  in  our  days  is  thought  best  calculated  to 
give  the  greatest  speed  for  a short  distance.  Those  who 
believe  in  long-legged  racers  will  think  his  legs,  body 
and  stride,  were  all  too  short,  and  to  them  it  may  per- 
haps seem  surprising  that  he  should  be  successful,  as 
he  invariably  was,  in  such  contests.  But  we  think  his 
great  muscular  development  and  nervous  energy,  com- 
bined with  his  small  size,  gave  him  a decided  advantage 
in  the  first  start  over  taller  and  heavier  horses  ; just  as  ^ 
any  ordinary  horse  can  distance  the  finest  locomotive  in 
a ten  rod  race.  At  all  events,  the  history  of  racing  in  ^ 
this  country  and  in  England,  proves  conclusively,  that 
small  horses  may  have  great  speed.  In  such  a race  a 
horse  of  great  spirit  and  nervous  energy  derives  a decided 
advantage  from  these  qualities,  especially  after  being  a 
little  accustomed  to  such  struggles.  When  brought  up 
to  the  line,  his  eyes  flash  and  his  ears  quiver  with  intense 
excitement,  he  grinds  the  bit  with  his  teeth,  his  hind  legs 
are  drawn  under  him,  every  muscle  of  his  frame  trembles, 
and  swells  almost  to  bursting,  and  at  the  given  signal 
he  goes  off  like  the  springing  of  a-  steeltrap.  His  un- 


134 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


varying  success  in  these  short  races  may  perhaps 
be  partly  accounted  for  in  this  way,  though  he  was 
undoubtedly  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  speed, 
and  was  a sharp  runner. 

Ainong  the  many  races  of  this  description  that  he 
ran,  were  two  in  1796,  at  Brookfield,  Vt.,  one  with  a 
horse  called  Sweepstakes  from  Long  Island,  and  the 
other  with  a horse  called  hSilver  Tail  from  St.  Law- 
rence  Co.,  New  York,  both  of  these  he  beat  with  ease. 
Mr.  Morgan  (who  then  owned  him)  offered  to  give  the 
owner  of  Silver  Tail  two  more  chances  to  win  the 
stake,  which  was  fifty  dollars,  by  walking  or  trotting 
the  horses  for  it,  which  was  declined.  There  are  many 
accounts  of  other  races  which  he  ran  and  won,  but 
these  accounts  not  fully  agreeing  as  to  the  details,  we 
have  not  mentioned  them. 

In  harness  the  Justin  Morgan  was  quiet  but  full  of 
spirit,  an  eager  and  nimble  traveller,  but  patient  in 
bad  spots ; and  although  for  a long  time  steadily  engaged 
in  the  heavy  work  of  a new  farm,  his  owner  at  that 
time  informs  us  that  he  never  knew  him  refuse  to 
draw  as  often  as  he  was  required  to,  but  he  pithily 
adds : “I  didn’t  very  often  have  to  ask  him  but  once, 
for  whatever  he  v/as  hitched  to  generally  had  to  come 
the  first  time  trying.”  This  uniform  kindness  at  a pull, 
was  one  of  the  striking  characteristics  of  the  horse,  and 
the  same  trait  may  be  observed  in  the  greater  part  of  his 
descendants.  Pulling  matches  ” and  “pulling  bees,” 
were  as  common  in  those  days  as  short  races,  and  the 
“little  horse,”  as  he  was  often  called,  became  quite 
celebrated  for  his  unvarying  willingness  to  do  his  best, 
and  for  his  great  power  at  what  is  called  a “ dead  lift.” 


THE  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 


135 


The  following  letter  from  Solomon  Steele,  Esq.,  of 
Derby,  Vt.,  a gentleman  who  has  devoted  a great  deal 
of  time  and  money  to  the  improvement  of  horses  in 
his  vicinity,  and  who,  notwithstanding  the  apathy  of 
some,  and  the  opposition  of  others,  now  enjoys  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  his  precepts  adopted,  and  his  exam- 
ple followed  by  his  neighbors,  to  their  great  advantage, 
and  the  equal  improvement  of  their  stock,  will  be  read 
with  interest : 

“Derby  Line,  Yt.,  March  12th,  1856. 

“ D.  0.  Linsley,  Esq. 

'‘'‘Dear  Sir: — I am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  the  1st 
inst.,  renewing  your  request  that  I should  favor  you 
with  such  information  as  I may  possess,  in  relation  to 
the  early  history  of  the  founder  of  that  breed  of  horses, 
which  have,  at  length,  become  so  distinguished  as  to 
be  called  the  ‘best  in  the  world,’  and  known  as  Mor- 
gans. 

“ I have  not  the  vanity  to  presume  that  I can  dis- 
close any  material  facts  relative  to  this  subject,  but,  at 
your  request,  I will  mention  some  incidents  connected 
with  the  early  history  of  this  horse,  which  if  not  of 
great  importance,  may  not  be  void  of  interest.  It  has 
been  my  privilege,  in  early  life,  to  often  see  the  original 
Morgan  horse,  called  by  this  name  from  the  fact  that 
Justin  Morgan  brought  him  to  Eandolph,  Yt.,  from 
Massachusetts,  in  the  autumn  of  1795.  Mr.  Morgan 
intended  to  apply  him  to  the  payment  of  a note  held 
against  him,  but  not  being  able  to  obtain  what  he  con- 
sidered a reasonable  price  for  him,  and  having  no 
keeping  for  him,  he  let  him  to  a man  by  the  name  of 


136 


THE  MOEGAN  HORSE. 


Kobert  Evans,  for  one  year,  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  dol- 
lars. Immediately  after  this,  Evans  undertook  the  job 
of  clearing  fifteen  acres  of  heavy-timbered  land  for'a 
Mr.  Fisk,  and  before  the  first  of  June  following,  had 
completed  the  job,  with  no  other  team  but  this  colt, 
though  not  regarded  as  a ^salable  horse.'* 

“ While  Evans  was  engaged  in  piling  this  timber, 
the  remarkable  powers  of  this  horse,  it  would  seem, 
were  in  a measure  developed,  as  he  was  then  found 
able  to  out-draw,  out- walk,  out-trot,  or  out  run  every 
horse  that  was  matched  against  him.  An  instance  was 
related  to  me  by  Mr.  Nathan  Nye,  who  was  an  eye- 
witness, and  whose  testimony  was  never  questioned. 

I noted  it  at  the  time,  and  will  relate  it  in  his  own 
words : 

‘‘  ^At  the  time  Evans  had  this  horse,  a small  tavern, 
a grist-mill,  and  saw-mill  were  in  operation  on  the 
branch  of  White  Eiver,  in  Eandolph,  and  at  this  place 
the  strength  of  men  and  horses  in  that  settlement,  were 
generally  tested.  On  one  occasion^  (says  Nye),  ‘I 
went  to  these  mills,  where  I spent  most  of  a day,  and 
during  the  time,  many  trials  were  had,  for  a small 
wager,  to  draw  a certain  pine  log,  which  lay  some  ten 
rods  from  the  saw-mill. 

^Some  horses  were  hitched  to  it  that  would  weigh  . 
twelve  hundred  pounds,  but  not  one  of  them  could|^ 
move  it  its  length.  About  dusk,  Evans  came  down  / 
from  his  logging  field,  which  was  near  by,  and  I told 
him  the  particulars  of  the  drawing  match.  Evans  re- 
quested me  to  show  him  the  log,  which  I did ; he  then 
ran  back  to  the  tavern  and  challenged  the  company  to 
bet  a gallon  of  rum,  that  he  could  not  draw  the  log 


THE  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 


137 


fairly  on  to  the  logway,  at  three  pulls  with  his  colt. 
The  challenge  was  promjDtly  accepted,  and  each  having 
“taken  a glass,”  the  whole  company  went  down  to  the 
spot. 

“‘Arrived  on  the  ground,  Evans  says:  “I  am 
ashamed  to  hitch  my  horse  to  a little  log  like  that,  but 
if  three  of  you  will  get  on  and  ride,  if  I don’t  draw  it, 
I will  forfeit  the  rum.”  Accordingly,  three  of  those 
least  able  to  stand  were  placed  upon  the  log.  I was 
present  with  a lantern,  and  cautioned  those  on  the  log 
to  look  out  for  their  legs,  as  I had  seen  the  horse  draw 
before,  and  knew  something  had  got  to  come.  At  the 
word  of  command  the  horse  started,  log  and  men,  and 
went  more  than  half  of  the  distance  before  stopping. 
At  the  next  pull,  he  landed  his  load  at  the  spot  agreed 
upon,  to  the  astonishment  of  all  present. 

“ ‘ Not  many  days  after  this,  the  beaten  party  pro- 
posed to  Evans  to  run  a certain  horse  against  his, 
eighty  rods  for  another  gallon.  Evans  accepted,  went 
from  his  work,  and  matched  his  horse  against  four 
different  horses  the  same  evening,  and  beat  them  all 
with  ease.’ 

“Thus  early  in  the  history  of  the  Morgan  horse  it 
was  an  admitted  fact,  that  however  small,  he  could  not 
be  beaten,  where  strength,  speed,  and  endurance  were 
the  test.  When  we  see  this  same  animal  driven  in 
harness,  or  ridden  by  the  aged  and  infirm  with  perfect 
safety  and  confidence,  and  next  see  him  at  a military 
review,  mounted  by  the  commander-in-chief,  and  dis- 
playing all  the  fire  and  pride  imaginable ; and  after 
the  lapse  of  nearly  fifty  years,  witnessing  the  same  re- 
markable traits  in  many  of  his  descendants,  we  are 


188 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


constrained  to  admit,  that  blood  is,  indeed,  of  no  small 
importance  in  the  business  of  horse-breeding.  It  should 
be  well  understood,  that  throughout  the  long  life  of 
the  Justin  Morgan  (as  well  as  that  of  his  immediate 
oifspring),  want  of  size  was  the  universal  objection. 
No  man  of  ordinary  judgment  could  fail  to  discover 
his  peculiar  points  of  excellence,  his  oblique  shoulders, 
high  crest,  fine  ear,  prominent  and  sagacious  eye,  per- 
fect head,  large  and  expanded  nostrils,  strong  loins, 
long  hip,  deep  and  well-spread  chest,  high  withers, 
short  pasterns,  strong  and  sinewy  limbs,  with  all  the 
important  muscles  far  surpassing  in  size  those  of  any 
other  horse  of  his  weight  ever  seen  in  America.  The 
fact  that  this  horse  has  contributed  more  than  any 
other  animal  ever  did,  to  the  wealth  of  the  United 
States,  no  honest  man  will  deny,  but  strange  to  say, 
in  the.  face  of  all  this,  the  cry  is  still  heard,  too  small^ 
too  small.  This  reminds  us  of  the  man  who  sold  his 
hen,  because  she  was  too  small^  although  she  daily  laid 
eggs  of  gold.  We  rejoice,  however,  that  we  live  in  a 
day  when  intelligent  men  cannot  so  easily  be  made  the 
dupes  of  interested  parties.  The  farming  community 
are  thinking  and  acting  with  more  care  and  attention 
than  formerly,  they  are  disposed  to  profit  by  past  ex- 
perience, they  are  more  close  observers  of  cause  and 
effect,  and  it  is  our  firm  conviction,  that  the  man  who 
is  doing  most  to  foster  and  encourage  this  principle,,  is 
the  world’s  greatest  benefactor.” 

Through  life  the  Justin  Morgan  was  steadily  em- 
ployed in  the  heavy  work  incident  to  the  cultivation 
of  a new‘  and  mountain  country,  and  was  often  engaged 
in  similar  matches  to  those  just  mentioned.  Even  at 


THE  JUSTIH  MORGAN. 


139 


the  age  of  fifteen  we  find  him  entered  at  a drawing 
match  that  took  place  at  Gen.  Butler’s  tavern,  in  St. 
Johnsbury.  Some  of  his  opponents  are  described  by 
persons  present  as  large,  heavy  horses,  yet  they  were 
all  beaten  by  the  Justin.  We  mention  these  facts  to 
show  the  great  muscular  development  of  the  horse,  and 
his  kind  and  tractable  temper,  rather  than  as  an  evi- 
dence of  his  value  for  purposes  of  heavy  draught ; for, 
although  the  power  of  an  animal  in  starting  a given 
weight  depends  more  upon  his  form  and  muscular  de- 
velopment than  upon  mere  size,  yet  size  is  indispens- 
able to  enable  a horse  to  move  off  easily  upon  the  road 
with  a heavy  load. 

The  quietness  and  exceedingly  pleasant  temper  of 
the  Justin  Morgan,  is  strikingly  evidenced  by  the  fact 
that  he  was  often  ridden  and  driven  by  ladies.  A lady 
of  St.  Johnsbury  once  told  us  she  remembered  his 
appearance  perfectly,  and  had  repeatedly  ridden  him, 
when  a girl,  to  balls  and  other  parties,  and  spoke  with 
much  enthusiasm  of  his  noble  appearance,  his  high 
spirit,  and  perfect  docility. 

It  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  obtain  accurate  informa- 
tion respecting  the  changes  in  owners  that  occurred  to 
the  horse  at  different  times.  To  account  for  this  uncer- 
tainty, we  must  consider  that  his  fame  has  been  almost 
entirely  posthumous,  that  although  the  champion  of 
his  neighborhood,  he  was  little  valued,  on  account  of 
his  small  size ; .and  it  Avas  not  until  after  his  death,  and 
his  descendants  Avere  exhibiting  the  j)OAvers  of  their 
sire,  in  speed,  strength,  and  endurance,  in  almost  every 
village  of  Eastern  Vermont,  that  people  began  to 
realize  they  had  not  properly  appreciated  him.  For 


140 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


this  reason,  little  notice  was  taken,  at  that  time,  of  any 
change  of  owners,  and  many  persons  who  very  well 
recollect  the  horse,  recollect  nothing  of  these  changes ; 
and  those  who  claim  to  recollect  them,  disagree  much 
as  to  the  dates  at  which  his  several  owners  purchased 
him. 

We  have  made  every  exertion  to  collect  the  most 
reliable  information  in  relation  to  this  subject,  but  from 
the  difficulties  just  mentioned,  we  fear  our  chronology 
may  not  prove  perfectly  accurate,  but  believe  it  to  be 
in  the  main  correct,  and  sufficiently  so  for  all  practical 
purposes,  as  the  subject  derives  its  chief  importance 
from  the  curiosity  felt  in  relation  to  it,  by  those  inter- 
ested in  his  descendants. 

As  we  have  before  stated,  Mr.  Morgan  used  him 
almost  exclusively  as  a riding  horse,  though  he  broke 
him  to  harness  and  occasionally  used  him  in  that  way. 
After  Mr.  Morgan’s  death,  he  was  sold  by  the  estate  to 
William  Eice,  of  Woodstock,  Yt.  Mr.  Eice  used  him 
in  the  ordinary  work  of  his  farm  for  about  two  years, 
or  until  1800  or  1801,  when  Eobt.  Evans  (who  had 
been  constantly  on  the  watch  for  an  opportunity  to 
purchase,  since  he  hired  him  of  Mr.  Morgan)  bought 
him.  Mr.  Evans  was  a poor  man,  with  a large  family, 
and  was  what  is  called  a great  worker.  In  addition  to 
the  work  upon  his  own  place,  he  was  constantly  under- 
taking jobs  for  his  neighbors — clearing  land,  hauling 
logs,  building  fence,  &c.,  &c.  The  ‘4ittle  horse”  was 
Mr.  Evans’  only  team,  and  of  course  his  labor  Avas  very 
severe.  Mr.  Evans  kept  him  three  or  four  years,  or 
until  1804,  when  he  was  sued  for  debt ; Col.  John  Goss 
became  his  bail,  took  the  horse  for  security,  and  finally 


THE  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 


141 


paid  the  debt  and  kept  him.  Mr.  John  Goss  was  not 
much  of  a horseman,  and  therefore  took  the  horse  to 
his  brother,  David  Goss,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  who  Avas 
quite  a horseman,  and  made  arrangements  with  him 
to  keep  him  for  a stock  horse.  After  David  had  kept 
him  a year,  he  was  so  much  pleased  with  him  that 
he  exchanged  a fine  mare  with  his  brother  for  him, 
adding  cash  or  other  property.  The  horse  in  this  trade 
was  valued  at  one  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  David  Goss 
kept  him  seven  years,  or  until  1811,  and  it  was  Avhile 
owned  by  him  that  the  Hawkins,  Fenton,  and  Sherman 
horses  were  sired.  Mr.  Goss  kept  him  almost  con- 
stantly at  work  on  his  farm,  with  the  exception  of  about 
two  months  in  the  spring  of  each  year.  While  his 
property,  although  put  to  hard  work,  the  horse  was  not 
overworked  or  abused,  but  was  properly  treated  and 
cared  for.  David  Goss  sold  him  to  his  son  Phillip,  and 
some  of  his  colts  about  Eandolph  having  gTown  up  and 
proved  valuable,  there  AV'as  some  inquiry  for  the  horse 
in  that  vicinity,  and  he  was  accordingly  taken  back  to 
that  town.  This  was  in  1811.  He  was  now  nineteen 
years  old,  and  those  Avho  owned  him  at  different  times 
after  this,  generally  seemed  eager  to  get  rid  of  him, 
for  fear  he  should  die  on  their  hands.  Immediately 
after  his  return  to  Eandolph,  he  seems  to  have  been 
taken  care  of  by  Eobt.  Evans,  his  former  owner,  for  it 
was  during  this  year  that  Bullrush  was  sired,  and  he 
was  at  that  time  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Evans.  Soon 
after  this,  or  in  the  autumn  of  1811,  Phillip  Goss  sold 
him  to  Jacob  Sanderson ; Sanderson  sold  him  to  a Mr. 
Langmade,  who  used  the  old  horse  hard,  considering 
his  age.  He  worked  him  some  time  in  a six-horse 


142 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


team,  hauling  freight  from  Windsor  to  Chelsea.  Under 
this  treatment  he  became  thin  and  poor,  and  was  pur- 
chased for  a trifle  by  Mr.  Chelsea,  and  shortly  after  sold 
by  him  to  Joel  Goss,  of  Claremont,  N.  H.  Mr.  Goss 
kept  him  one  year,  and  sold  him  to  Mr.  Samuel  Stone, 
of  Kandolph.  Mr.  Stone  kept  him  two  or  three  years, 
or  until  1819,  when  he  sold  him,  and  he  soon  after 
became  the  property  of  Levi  Bean,  who  owned  him 
until  his  death,  which  happened  in  the  winter  of  1821, 
at  the  farm  of  Clifford  Bean,  situated  about  three  miles 
south  of  the  village  of  Chelsea,  Vt. 

At  twenty-nine  years  of  age,  no  cause  need  be  as- 
signed for  his  death  but  the  ravages  of  time  and  the 
usual  infirmities  of  years;  but  old  age  was  not  the  im- 
mediate cause  of  his  death.  He  was  not  stabled,  but 
was  running  loose  in  an  open  yard  with  other  horses, 
and  received  a kick  from  one  of  them  in  the  flank ; ex- 
posed without  shelter  to  the  inclemency  of  a northern 
winter,  inflammation  set  in  and  he  died.  Before  re- 
ceiving the  hurt  which  caused  his  death,  he  was  per- 
fectly sound,  and  entirely  free  from  any  description  of 
blemish.  His  limbs  were  perfectly  smooth,  clean,  free 
from  any  swelling,  and  perfectly  limber  and  supple. 

Those  persons  who  saw  him  in  1819  and  1820, 
describe  his  appearance  as  remarkably  fresh  and  youth- 
ful. Age  had  not  quenched  his  spirit,  nor  damped  the 
ardor  of  his  temper ; years  of  severest  labor  had  not 
sapped  his  vigor,  nor  broken  his  constitution ; his  eye 
was  still  bright,  and  his  step  firm  and  elastic. 

However  various  may  be  the  opinions  different  per- 
sons may  entertain  respecting  the  merits  of  the  Justin 
Morgan,  we  doubt  whether  any  horse  can  be  instanced, 


THE  JUSTIN  MORGAN. 


143 


in  this  or  any  other  country,  that  has  so  strikingly  im- 
pressed upon  his  descendants,  to  the  fifth  and  sixth 
generations,  his  own  striking  and  valuable  character- 
istics ; and  it  may  be  safely  asserted  that  the  stock  of 
no  horse  ever  bred  in  this  country  has  proved  so  gener- 
ally and  largely  profitable  to  the  breeders  of  it.  The 
raising  of  it  has  made  the  fortunes  of  hundreds  of  indi- 
viduals, and  added  hundreds  of  thousands,  if  not 
millions  of  dollars,  to  the  wealth  of  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire. 


CHAPTEE  VII. 


HISTORY  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  STALLIONS  SIRED  BY  THE 
JUSTIN  MORGAN. 

It  has  frequently  been  asserted  that  but  four  stal- 
lions were  kept  for  stock  that  Avere  sired  by  the  Justin 
Morgan — namely,  Bulrush,  Sherman,  Woodbury,  and 
Eevenge.  The  first  we  remember  to  haye  seen  of  this 
statement  in  print  was  in  a published  letter  from  F.  A. 
Weir,  of  Walpole,  New  Hampshire,  that  appeared  in 
the  ^‘Albany  Cultivator,”  vol.  iii.,  page  19 ; but  it  may 
have  been  published  before,  and  Mr.  Weir  may  have 
only  copied  it.  Since  that  time  it  has  been  printed  in 
many  different  papers,  and  by  some  has  been  printed 
in  a way  that  in  effect  endorses  it,  and  has  thus  given 
such  currency  to  it,  that  it  is  credited  by  a great  many 
persons  who  have  a pretty  good  knowdedge  of  the 
history  of  Morgan  horses,  but  do  not  happen  to  know 
of  any  other  stallions  kept  from  the  Justin  Morgan, 
except  those  above  mentioned. 

Thus  they  are  readily  led  to  believe  the  assertion,  as 
it  exactly  coincides  Avith  their  own  knowledge  on  the 
subject;  it  does  not  stop  short  of  A\"hat  they  know,  and 
it  goes  no  farther;  but  hoAYever  generally  this  may 
have  been  believed,  it  is  very  certain  that  it  is  a mis- 
take. 

Nothing  can  be  more  natural  than  such  an  error,  as, 
if  it  were  true,  it  would  be  nearly  if  not  quite  impossi- 

(144) 


(iOr.DEN  EAGL 


m 

«%»«  \ . It*- imam-  T-wiiwii- 

<]ct*ii/>l.  ■■'iiJ . '1'''>-4f‘  »*'  ’■•/>.»# 

.inw^Tt  fWVWj  Aiui  i>Ut3  P-i  >■.  if  ■ (IWWM 

4ttaR*|wij  V'V*uj;  im-'in'-  ti'Mw 

'H<  ^tiif  Igliillr 

>g»4ij 

-x  . ■kr>»*at»^ 

iidt  Bw*^<«u£^  /w^»^  ^•ij«aw» 

.TSttoWili'  -*^WOi  CfU/:,  i&  'ff  4S‘-*M<«'WW'i#''J|ttill<r* 

!-■.;?„  7.(1  fei»fc!<C-*Jt''«‘«‘'  . -’‘W  -^U- 

A .,•  t>'i>Js,.‘c4v>«te  vUeigSUBB*- 

i!  i.i: 

' , : . tv  , V - ki'4(*«»«i»  .ftMil  ■ 

■ ^ ’>■'  >■ ‘■'■M  'tMf 

.,  ...  y ■ '■■■''  - 

UMVfiSSirv  «r  ILUMOIS. 

^ 1;‘  . I 5«y^  -’^  i iiii  I 

IliIfY  ■"■■■•-  . ' . •;■  ■ U4Uto:»fc3ti^ui*iJe  IMMJ;  Jlfcai;*  . v 

M«i,  • , Kiw*'  '«■<  itk^Aik 

l,-.-.  . . . «OiW#iaW^  «■*■'■'  -i-  V'  *fi-  A'-l 

.-(OWilk  VitmW%-.idiuyvAme:.b%^^^^ 

wr:  v .mo  mi  mt^i>  • - V.»wv«k^ 

.•  • ,ar>t»Bit  * ^sub/mk.’Sme/v^iyi ' '<^'> 

.-: .«o  - ■ ^ > - 

■...'■  ,!  .«a<|4e»lt  EHiM'-V'ii  ''»  r 

-mJa 


SONS  OF  THE  JUSTIN. 


145 


ble  to  prove  it ; for  to  do  this,  it  is  necessary  to  show 
what  was  the  character,  and  history  until  they  were 
grown,  of  all  and  each^  of  the  colts  sired  by  the  Justin 
Morgan,  through  a period  of  twenty-five  years,  during 
which  time  he  was  owned  by  many  different  individ- 
uals, and  kept  at  many  different  places.'  This  we  be- 
lieve cannot  be  shown.  It  will  at  once  be  seen  that 
the  task  of  substantiating  the  pedigree  of  any  given 
number  of  his  colts,  is  an  easy  one,  compared  with  that 
of  demonstrating  that  there  were  no  more.  Therefore, 
while  we  shall  describe  the  horses  mentioned  by  Mr. 
AVeir,  and  also  two  others,  we  shall  not  venture  the 
assertion  that  but  six  stallions  were  kept  from  the 
Justin  Morgan ; indeed,  we  do  not  believe  that  such 
was  the  fact ; on  the  contrary,  we  have  no  doubt  there 
were  others,  and  we  can  only  say,  that  we  have  been 
able  to  obtain  no  authentic  account  of  more  than 
six. 

Between  all  the  stallions  left  by  him  there  was  a 
very  close  and  striking  resemblance,  in  size,  form,  and 
general  character,  and  they  also  bore  equal  resemblance 
to  their  sire ; indeed,  the  power  of  transmitting  to  his 
progeny  his  own  form,  constitution  and  temperament, 
was  a very  distinguishing  trait  of  the  Justin  Morgan, 
and  we  believe  no  horse  ever  lived  that  possessed  in  a 
higher  degree  the  power  of  stamping  upon  his  offspring 
his  own  great  leading  characteristics. 

Although  it  is  not  true  that  only  four  stallions  were 
kept  from  the  old  horse,  yet  it  is  true  that  but  four  of 
them  became  celebrated,  and  of  these  four,  one  (Re- 
venge) derives  his  chief  celebrity  from  the  association 
of  his  name  with  those  of  Sherman,  Woodbury,  and 
7 


146 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Bulrush.  Not  that  he  nor  the  others  we  shall  mention 
were  necessarily  less  valuable  than  the  three  just 
named,  but  accidents  of  location  and  ownership  will 
often  prevent  the  most  valuable  animals  from  becom- 
ing well  and  favorably  known. 

The  important  features  that  characterized  the  Justin 
Morgan,  his  compactness  of  form,  his  high  and  gener- 
ous spirit,  combined  with  the  most  perfect  geptleness 
and  tractability ; his  bony,  sinewy  limbs,  his  lofty  style, 
and  easy  but  vigorous  action,  were  strongly  and  strik- 
ingly impressed  upon  his  offspring.  Not  only  did  his 
valuable  qualities  descend  unimpaired  to  the  next  gen- 
ration,  but  apparently  with  little  diminution  to  the 
second  and  third ; and  thus  it  is  that  where  pains  have 
been  taken  to  select  both  sires  and  dams,  possessing 
most  of  his  blood  and  characteristics,  young  colts  may 
now  be  found  that  closely  resemble  him  in  all  import- 
ant respects,  except  size,  in  which  there  has  been  a 
decided  increase.  We  have  stated  our  belief  that  there 
were  more  than  six  horses  kept  as  stallions,  but  we 
think  it  doubtful  whether  any  stock  can  be  traced  to 
the  Fenton  horse,  and  but  very  little  is  descended  from 
Eevenge  or  the  Hawkins  horse. 

The  Hawkins  horse  was  foaled  in  1806,  or  1807,  the 
property  of  Mr.  Melvin,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.  He 
was  sired  by  the  Justin  Morgan,  his  dam  was  a bay 
about  fifteen  hands  high,  of  fine  form  and  excellent 
action.  She  was  sired  by  a black  horse  brought  from 
Connecticut,  and  said  to  have  been  an  imported 
thorough-bred  racer,  but  it  is  not  probable  that  he  was, 
as  we  can  find  no  record  of  any  such  importation  near 


HAWKINS  HORSE. 


147 


that  time,  or  sufficiently  near  to  render  it  probable  that 
his  dam  could  have  been  sired  by  such  a horse. 

When  three  years  old,  Mr.  Melvin  sold  him  to  Olney 
Hawkins,  a near  neighbor.  Hawkins  was  Captain  of  a 
troop,  and  he  bought  the  colt  to  use  as  a parade  horse. 
After  keeping  him  five  or  six  years,  he  sold  him  to  his 
brother  Stephen.  Stephen  kept  him  two  years  at  St. 
Johnsbury,  and  then  took  him  to  Stanstead,  Canada 
East.  Here  the  horse  remained  a few  years,  and  left 
some  stock.  From  Stanstead  he  was  taken  to  Upper 
Canada,  but  after  this  we  are  unable  to  trace  him,  and 
do  not  know  where  he  was  kept  or  when  he  died.  He 
was  a jet  black,  about  fifteen  hands  high,  not  quite  so 
compact  as  his  sire,  a little  taller,  and  a very  little 
heavier.  His  shoulders,  back  and  loins,  were  excellent. 
He  carried  his  head  high,  had  a bold,  resolute,  and 
vigorous  style  of  action,  and  was  undoubtedly  the 
fastest  horse  of  the  six ; he  was  a smart  trotter,  and  a 
good  runner.  His  eye  was  a little  fierce  in  its  expres- 
sion, and  he  was  inclined  to  be  cross,  and  not  so  tract- 
able as  the  rest.  He  was  one  of  the  best  acting  and 
finest-looking  horses  under  the  saddle  ever  in  the  State. 

The  Fenton  horse  was  foaled  in  1808,  the  property 
of  Eichard  Fenton,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.  He  was 
sired  by  the  Justin  Morgan  ; dam,  a bay  of  unknown 
blood,  nor  can  we  learn  any  particulars  of  any  import- 
ance respecting  her  form  and  style,  except  that  she  was 
well  known  in  the  neighborhood  as  an  excellent  ani- 
mal. He  ^vas  a beautiful  blood  bay,  with  black  legs, 
mane,  and  tail ; and  about  fourteen  and  a half  hands 
high.  He  very  closely  resembled  his  sire,  was  very 


148 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


compact  and  muscular,  had  the  same  nervous  and  vig- 
orous action,  the  same  lofty  and  fearless  style,  and  we 
are  inclined  to  think  was  one  of  the  best,  if  not  the  hest^ 
of  the  Justin’s  colts.  There  were  but  few  colts  left  by 
him,  as  when  six  years  old  he  bit  his  owner  quite 
severely,  and  he  had  him  castrated.  W e cannot  learn 
that  any  of  his  colts  were  kept  as  stallions. 

Eevenge  was  foaled  in  1815,  the  property  of  Cyrus 
Moore,  of  Claremont,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  a light  brown  with  a white  stripe  in  the  face,  and 
white  hind  feet ; she  was  a smart  driver,  but  did  not 
carry  her  head  high  ; nor  did  she  have  a good  gait,  as 
she  sometimes  paced.  Her  sire  is  not  known ; her 
dam  was  bay  with  white  in  the  face,  and  was  owned 
by  Mr.  Ball,  of  Unity,  N.  H.  She  paced  a good  deal, 
but  was  very  smart.  Nothing  is  known  of  her  sire  or 
dam,  but  she  was  called  at  that  time  a “ Narragansett 
pacer.” 

Mr.  Moore  sold  Eevenge  the  autumn  after  he  was 
two  years  old  to  Nehemiah  Eice.  Mr.  Eice  kept  him 
two  or  three  years,  and  sold  him  to  a Mr.  Tyler,  and 
he  kept  him  in  the  vicinity  of  Claremont  until  nine 
years  old,  when  Mr.  Moses  Wheeler,  of  Claremont,  pur- 
chased a half  interest  in  him,  and  the  next  season  pur- 
chased the  other  half.  After  keeping  him  one  year, 
Mr.  Wheeler  sold  him,  and  he  passed  through  many 
different  hands.  He  was  kept  near  Connecticut  river 
at  Claremont,  Croj^don,  Cornish,  AVethersfield,  and 
intermediate  points.  In  1835  or  1836,  he  became  the 
property  of  Edwin  Billings,  of  Claremont,  who  kept 
him  until  he  died.  In  April,  1837,  Mr.  Billings  drove 


REVENGE. 


149 


him  to  Chester,  Vt.,  intending  to  go  to  the  western 
part  of  the  State,  but  here  the  horse  was  taken  sick 
and  died  suddenly. 

Kevenge  was  a dark  bay,  or  light  brown.  In  the 
spring  after  shedding  his  coat  he  might  almost  be  called 
a black,  but  in  the  winter  he  was  often  called  a bay ; he 
was  about  fourteen  and  a half  hands  high,  and  weighed 
fully  one  thousand  pounds ; he  had  less  action  than 
either  Woodbury  or  Sherman  ; but  he  had  a very  close- 
knit  form,  Avith  excellent  back,  loins,  hips,  and  limbs ; 
his  chest  and  shoulders  were  not  so  fine  as  some  of  the 
others,  nor  did  he  have  a very  smooth,  easy  gait,  but 
he  never  paced  nor  hitched.  He  had  plenty  of  life, 
great  endurance,  and,  as  one  of  his  owners  said  to  us, 
“he  was  an  ugly  customer  to  get  away  from  on  the 
road.”  His  stock  were  dark  bay  or  brown,  and  occa- 
sionally chesnut.  They  had  good  size,  were  strong, 
hardy,  and  enduring ; generally  free  drivers,  but  had 
not  as  easy  action  nor  as  good  style  as  the  stock  from 
the  others ; and  some  of  them  would  both  pace  and  trot. 
When  a colt,  Eevenge  was  frightened  by  the  breaking 
of  some  portion  of  his  harness  or  carriage,  and  ran 
away.  From  the  effects  of  this  fright  he  never  fully 
recovered,  and  if  driven  single  would  pull  hard  when 
a little  excited,  but  we  have  not  heard  of  his  ever  run- 
ning, except  on  the  occasion  just  mentioned.  He  was 
perfectly  sound. 

Of  his  colts,  we  have  been  able  to  learn  of  but  one 
that  was  kept  a stallion.  It  was  a very  dark  chestnut, 
about  fifteen  hands  high,  and  weighed  about  ten  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds.  In  1853  he  was  owned  by  Mr.  John 
Clark,  at  Dunham,  Canada  East,  and  Ave  think  w 


150 


THE  MOEGAN  HORSE. 


raised  by  him  at  Windsor,  Vt.,  where  he  formerly 
lived.  This  horse  had  an  excellent,  open  gait,  fine  style, 
and  was  called  the  fastest  horse  in  his  neighborhood. 

As  it  has  been  stated  that  the  dam  of  Kevenge  was 
white,  we  have  taken  much  pains  to  obtain  the  most 
reliable  information  upon  this  point,  and  have  visited 
several  persons  who  knew  her  well  for  years,  and 
knew  the  colt  “Eevenge”  from  the  time  he  was  foaled 
until  he  died,  and  without  a single  exception  they 
describe  her  color  as  we  have  stated  it. 

Sherman  was  foaled  in  1808  or  1809,  the  property 
of  James  Sherman,  of  Lyndon,  Vt.  It  has  been  said, 
that  . Sherman  was  foaled  in  1810,  and  it  has  also  been 
said  that  he  was  foaled  in  1811.  It  is  not  at  all  surpris- 
ing that  his  age  should  be  understated  by  a year  or  two, 
as  the  horse  who  lives  to  be  more  than  ten  years  old, 
loses  nothing  so  easily  as  one  or  two  years  of  his  age. 

Our  reasons  for  stating  his  age  as  we  have,  are  these: 
Mr.  George  Sherman,  son  of  James  Sherman,  informs 
us  that  he  has  now  been  married  forty-five  years,  and 
that  in  the  summer  after  he  was  married,  his  father  let 
him  take  the  horse,  then  a colt,  to  keep  and  use.  Mr. 
Sherman’s  wife  also  well  recollects  the  above  facts,  but 
neither  of  them  can  say  positively  whether  the  colt 
was  two  or  three  years  old,  though  both  of  them  thinh 
he  was  three ; and  from  the  fact  that  Mr.  Sherman  used 
him  a good  deal  that  summer,  it  seems  most  probable 
that  such  was  his  age.  Sherman  was  sired  by  the 
Justin.  With  regard  to  the  blood  of  his  dam,  much 
has  been  said  and  a good  deal  written,  but  we  think 
little  is  actually  known. 


SHERMAN. 


151 


Mr.  George  Stierinan  says,  his  father  brought  the  mare 
from  Cranston,  Khode  Island,  to  Lyndon,  Vermont; 
that  she  was  a chestnut,  of  good  size,  high  spirited,  and 
an  “elegant”  animal;  “we  called  her  of  Spanish 
breed.” 

The  late  Horn  Epaphras  Seymour,  of  Brattleboro’, 
Yt.,  a gentleman  of  fortune  and  high  standing,  and 
passionately  fond  of  horses,  spent  much  time  in  endeav- 
oring to  ascertain  the  pedigree  and  early  history  of 
the  Justin  Morgan  and  his  descendants.  Among  the 
memorandums  left  by  him,  now  in  possession  of  the 
Hon.  F.  Holbrook,  which  the  latter  gentleman  has 
kindly  permitted  us  to  examine,  we  find  the  following : 
“ Matthew  Allen,  of  Guildhall,  now  seventy  years  old 
or  over,  informs  me  that  J ames  Sherman  and  himself 
came  from  Ehode  Island  to  St  Johnsbury,  in  1799; 
before  they  left,  Mr.  John  Brown,  of  Providence,  gave 
Mr.  Sherman  an  imported  English  mare,  of  great 
beauty,  a fine  saddle-mare,  and  so  used  by  his  daugh- 
ters (she  was  then  spavined) ; she  was  a mahogany 
brown,  15  1-2  hands  high,  delicate  make.”  Mr.  Allen 
goes  on  to  state,  that  this  mare  was  the  dam  of  the 
Sherman. 

Mr.  S.  C.  Gibbs,  of  Littleton,  New  Hampshire,  who 
purchased  the  horse  of  Mr.  James  Sherman,  gives  the 
following  account  of  the  dam : “ She  was  bought  at  the 
South  (I  think  in  Virginia),  by  Mr.  John  Sherman,  of 
Providence,  Ehode  Island,  who  had  friends  in  that 
State.  He  purchased  her  for  her  beauty  and  speed. 
Soon  after  he  returned  with  her,  she  unfortunately 
slipped  her  hip.  He  then  gave  her  to  his  brother  James, 
of  Lyndon.” 


152 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


It  has  also  been  said  that  the  dam  was  long 
owned  by  Nicholas  Brown,  of  Providence,  Rhode 
Island,  one  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Brown  & Ives, 
formerly  a large  importing  house.  Mr.  George  Sherman 
says,  his  father  bought  the  mare  of  Doctor  Fiske,  of 
Cranston,  Rhode  Island.  It  is  of  little  consequence 
which  of  these  accounts  is  correct,  as  none  of  them  un- 
dertake to  give  her  pedigree.  If  either  had  made  an 
attempt  to  do  this,  the  question  would  have  possessed 
more  interest  and  some  importance.  It  certainly  con- 
cerns us  little  to  know,  in  what  manner,  or  from  whom, 
Mr.  Sherman  obtained  her,  if  we  cannot  go  beyond  that 
and  learn  something  of  her  pedigree.  We  are  inclined 
to  think  the  statement  of  Mr.  Sherman  entitled  to  the 
most  credit,  because  we  think  his  means  of  knowing  the 
facts  of  which  he  speaks  were  much  superior  to  the  others. 
His  father  used  the  horse  several  years,  valued  him 
highly,  and  was  often  interrogated  as  to  the  dam. 
George  must  have  often  heard  his  father  describe  the 
circumstances  under  which  he  obtained  her ; they  must 
have  been  well  known  in  the  family,  and  the  constantly 
increasing  fame  of  the  horse  would  keep  alive  in  its 
members  the  recollection  of  them,  as  related  by  James 
Sherman.  Mr.  George  Sherman  is  a man,  whose 
character  for  the  most  unwavering  honesty  has  been 
long  and  thoroughly  established,  where  he  is  known. 

Whoever  may  have  bred  the  mare,  and  whether  of 
Spanish  or  English  descent,  it  is  certain  she  was  a fine 
animal.  She  was  chestnut,  with  three  white  feet,  and 
a white  stripe  in  the  face.  Her  head  was  good,  ears 
small,  neck  light  and  rather  long ; not  very  compactly 
formed  and  never  carried  much  flesh.^^  She  carried 


SPIERMAN. 


153 


her  head  high,  was  a spirited  traveller,  and  an  excellent 
saddle  beast.  She  was  very  pleasant  tempered,  and 
worked  kindly  in  all  places. 

“ Sherman  ” was  a bright  chestnut,  about  thirteen  and 
three-quarters  hands  high,  and  weighed  nine  hundred 
and  twenty -five  pounds.  His  off  hind-leg  was  white 
from  the  foot  half  way  to  the  hock,  and  he  had  a small 
white  stripe  in  the  face ; his  head  was  lean  and  well 
shaped,  ears  small  and  fine,  eyes  inclined  to  be  small, 
but  full,  prominent  and  lively ; his  legs  had  some  long 
hairs  upon  the  back-side,  but  were  broad,  flat  and 
sinewy.  He  had  a capital  chest,  with  the  breast-bone 
very  prominent;  the  shoulders  were  large  and  well 
placed,  the  neck  excellent,  the  mane  and  tail  full,  but 
not  remarkably  heavy.  His  hips  were  long  and  deep^ 
the  loins  broad  and  muscular,  but  he  was  a little  hollow 
or  “sway-backed  still,  no  suspicion  of  a weak  back 
could  attach  to  him,  or  he  would  have  broken  down 
under  the  rough  treatment  he  received  in  early  life. 
When  four  years  old,  Mr.  Sherman  put  him  to  hard 
work,  and  though  for  about  two  months  in  the  spring 
of  each  year  he  worked  but  little,  yet  the  remainder  of 
the  year  his  labor  was  very  severe.  Mr.  Sherman  was 
a hard  working  man,  and  animals  under  his  charge  had 
few  opportunities  to  rest.  Most  of  the  year  the  horse 
was  kept  constantly  at  work  on  the  farm,  much  of  which 
he  helped  to  “clear  up.”  In  the  winter,  Mr.  Sherman 
usually  ran  a team  steadily  from  Lyndon,  Vermont,  to 
Portland,  Maine.  For  several  years,  this  team  consisted 
of  this  horse,  and  a half  brother,  sired  by  the  Justin 
Morgan,  a year  older  and  a little  larger  than  Sherman. 

Mr.  Sherman  was  not  a man  to  be  outdone  at  drawing 
7* 


154 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


or  driving,  and  he  was  always  ready  to  match  his 
team  against  any  he  met,  either  to  draw  or  run,  for  a 
trifling  wager.  His  “little  team ’’became  famous  at 
every  inn  from  Lyndon  to  Portland,  and  after  a time 
the  teamsters  that  knew  them  were  afraid  to  match 
horses  of  any  size  against  them.  In  the  spring,  when 
the  sleighing  became  poor,  the  men  who  had  been  com- 
panions through  the  winter  in  the  severe  labor  of  team- 
ing across  the  country,  Avould  often  congregate  at  the 
village  taverns,  to  spin  yarns  of  their  simple  but  rough 
adventures,  engage  in  wrestling,  running  foot  and  horse 
races,  drawing  matches,  and  many  games  invented  to 
test  the  speed  or  strength  of  either  men  or  horses.  In 
addition  to  these  attractions,  the  prospect  of  a social 
glass  of  “ Old  Santa  Cruz,”  may  have  had  some  influ- 
ence in  drawing  together  the  people  collected  on  these 
occasions,  for  it  was  at  that  time  considered  a pleasant 
beverage,  and  it  was  not  generally  known  to  be  a subtle 
poison.  Certain  it  is  that  these  games  were  well  at- 
tended, and  were  conducted  with  much  spirit.  Drawing 
matches  were  at  that  time  very  common.  At  Lyndon, 
the  usual  way  of  drawing  was  to  attach  a horse  to  a 
sled,  fill  it  with  men,  and  draw  the  load  up  a steep  hill 
just  north  of  the  tavern.  “TLAen  each  his  utmost 
strength  had  shown^'‘  Sherman  would  add  a small  boy 
to  the  largest  load  and  commence  the  ascent,  well  satis- 
fied if  he  could  gain  two  or  three  feet  at  a pull,  for 
nothing  discouraged  his  horse,  and  it  was  difficult  to 
load  him  so  that  he  could  not  move  a little.  These 
facts  are  perfectly  well  known  to  many  persons  now 
living  at  Lyndon,  and  we  mention  them,  not  from 
any  intrinsic  interest  they  may  possess,  but  having 


SHERMAN. 


165 


said  that  Sherman  was  slightly  hollow-backed,  we 
thought  it  necessary  to  show,  that  if  so,  his  back  was 
by  no  means  weak. 

Such  was  the  kind  of  service  to  which  Mr.  Sher- 
man put  his  horse  from  the  time  he  was  four  years 
old  until  he  was  about  ten,  when  he  sold  him,  to 
Stephen  C.  Gibbs,  of  Littleton,  New  Hampshire,  in 
1819.  Mr.  Gibbs  kept  him  one  year,  and  sold  him 
to  John  Buckminster,  of  Danville,  Vermont,  but  Mr. 
Gibbs  had  charge  of  him  two  years  longer.  After 
this,  he  was  kept  at  Danville  and  vicinity  until  1829, 
when  he  was  purchased  of  Mr.  Buckminster  by  Mr. 
John  Bellows,  of  Lancaster,  N.  H.  The  summer  of 
1829  he  was  kept  at  Littleton,  N.  H.,  in  charge  of 
Stephen  0.  Gibbs ; in  1830  he  was  kept  at  Dover  and 
vicinity ; in  1831  he  was  at  Col.  Jaques’  Ten  Hills 
Farm,  Charlestown,  Mass. ; in  1832  he  was  at  Dover, 
and  Durham,  N.  H. ; in  1833  he  was  kept  at  Lancaster, 
N.  H. ; and  in  1834,  at  Dover  and  vicinity.  He  died 
at  Mr.  Bellows’  stable.  In  Lancaster,  the  9th  of  January, 
1835.  The  cause  of  his  death  is  unknown.  He  was 
left  at  ten  o’clock  in  the  morning  apparently  perfectly 
well,  and  at  one  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  was  found  dead. 

"With  the  exception  of  some  slight  indications  of  age, 
he  was  apparently  as  free  from  every  species  of  blemish 
or  infirmity,  the  morning  of  the  day  he  died,  as  when  he 
was  foaled.  His  skin  has  been  preserved  and  stuffed, 
and  may  still  be  seen  at  the  stable  of  Mr.  George  Bel- 
lows, at  Lancaster,  N.  H. 

Sherman  had  not  so  bold  and  resolute  a style  of 
action,  and  was  not  so  nervous  and  high  tempered  as 
Woodbury;  nor  was  he,  in  the  language  of  the  stable, 


158 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


SO  well  ^‘finished  up;”  but  he  was  more  tractable^  was 
exceedingly  spirited,  and  a keen,  rapid  driver — ^possessed 
great  powers  of  endurance,  a free  and  noble  spirit  that 
needed  neither  whip  nor  spur,  and  courage  that  never 
flagged. 

Woodbury^  sometimes  called  the  Burbank  horse, 
and  known  in  Windsor  county  as  the  Walker  horse, 
was  foaled  the  latter  part  of  May,  1816,  the  property 
of  Lyman  Wight,  of  Tunbridge,  Vt.  It  has  been  said, 
that  he  was  raised  by  a “Mr.  White/’  but  this  is  a 
mistake  that  would  easily  occur ; the  pronunciation  of 
the  two  names  is  almost  the  same,  and  the  latter  being 
much  more  commonly  used,  the  name  has  been  misun- 
derstood. Woodbury  was  sired  by  the  Justin  Morgan. 
Of  the  blood  of  his  dam,  we  are  unable  to  learn  any- 
thing. At  the  time  the  colt  was  foaled,  Mr.  Lyman 
Wight  was  a young  man,  about  eighteen  years  old,  and 
the  dam  belonged  to  his  father,  William  Wight,  who 
had  loaned  her  to  his  son  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 
colt.  She  was  five  years  old  when  the  colt  was  born. 
Mr.  Wight  purchased  her  the  year  before,  of  a Maj. 
John  Moulton,  of  Bethel,  Vt.,  who  brought  her  into 
that  town.  She  was  large,  being  over  fifteen  hands 
high,  and  weighed  about  eleven  hundred  pounds ; she 
was  of  a deep  bay  color,  with  black  legs,  mane  and  tail, 
a small  white  spot  in  the  forehead,  and  no  other  marks. 
She  was  not  very  compactly  made,  and  Avas  rather  flat- 
ribbed  ; but  she  had  an  excellent  chest,  fine  shoulders 
and  hips,  and  excellent  limbs.  Her  head  was  very  fine, 
ears  good,  and  mane  and  tail  beautiful.  She  carried 
her  head  high,  was  a very  free,  spirited  driver,  and  was 


167 


called  fast  at  that  time.  She  both  paced  and  trotted, 
generally  starting  in  the  former  gait,  and  after  going  a 
short  distance  changing  it  for  a trot.  When  trotting, 
she  made  a fine  appearance,  and  going  flist  attracted 
much  attention.  She  was  a very  fast  walker.  The 
autumn  after  the  colt  was  foaled,  about  the  usual  time 
of  weaning,  Mr.  Wight  sold  him  to  David  Woodbury, 
of  Bethel,  Vt.,  for  fifty  dollars.  Mr.  Woodbury  kept 
him  until  grown,  and  sold  him  to  his  brother  John. 

John  had  a taste  for  good  horses,  and  in  his  hands 
the  horse  began  to  be  a little  known.  He  kept  him  at 
Bethel  and  the  neighboring  towns  a few  years,  and 
sold  him  to  Ebenezer  Parkhurst,  who  kept  him  in  the 
same  neighborhood  until  March,  1826,  when  he  sold 
him  to  Simon  Smith  and  Wm.  Walker,  of  Hartland, 
Vt.,  for  five  hundred  dollars.  Soon  after  this,  Messrs. 
Smith  and  Walker  dissolved  partnership,  Mr.  Walker 
keeping  Woodbury.  Mr.  Walker  had  a passion  for 
horses ; he  saw  and  appreciated  the  remarkable  features 
of  the  Justin  Morgan  and  his  stock,  and  took  much 
pains  to  bring  them  into  notice ; but  like  many  a 
pioneer  in  a new  business,  he  could  not  make  it  pay, 
and  being  a man  of  small  means,  he  was  compelled  to 
‘‘sacrifice  his  horse,”  as  he  terms  it,  ‘‘for  the  insignifi- 
cant sum  of  four  hundred  dollars,”  and  sold  him  to 
Peter  Burbank,  Esq.,  of  Newbury,  Vt.  Mr.  Burbank 
was  a lawyer,  and  not  a farmer  or  breeder,  but  he  was 
fond  of  horses  and  had  a discriminating  eye  for  their 
good  points,  and  having  seen  the  Woodbury  at  Keene, 
N,  H.,  he  (in  his  own  words)  “fell  in  love  with  him  at 
first  sight.”  Fearing  to  trust  to  his  own  judgment 
alone,  he  consulted  Jesse  Johnson,  of  Bradford,  Vt.,  a 


158 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


gentleman  who  not  only  possesses  excellent  taste  as  to 
the  proper  style  and  general  figure  of  a fine  horse,  but 
has  also  that  close,  critical  eye,  that  seems  almost  at  a 
glance  to  take  in  all  the  minute  defects  of  form  that  a 
more  careless  observer  might  fiiil  to  discover.  Mr. 
Johnson  did  not  fail  to  perceive  the  extraordinary 
merits  of  the  horse,  and  advised  Mr.  Burbank  to  pur- 
chase him,  which  he  did  the  20th  of  May,  1830.  From 
this  time  until  1836,  he  was  taken  charge  of  by  Jesse 
Johnson  and  Brothers,  and  kept  at  their  place  in  Brad- 
ford, Vt.,  during  the  winter  and  latter  part  of  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn  of  each  year,  and  one  or  two  years 
during  all  the  seasons.  During  the  years  1830  and 
1831,  he  remained  at  their  stable  at  Bradford.  The 
season  of  1832,  he  was  kept  at  Keene,  N.  H. ; the  season 
of  1833,  he  was  kept  at  Burlington,  Vt.,  and  the  seasons 
of  1835  and  1836,  he  was  kept  at  Bradford  and  vicinity. 
In  September,  1836,  Mr.  Burbank  having  died,  the  ad- 
ministrators of  his  estate  sold  him  to  Norman  Baaiee, 
of  Alabama,  who  took  him  to  Gainesville,  in  that  State, 
where  he  died  in  1838,  being  twenty-two  years  old. 

Woodbury  was  fourteen  and  three-quarters  hands 
high,  and  weighed  from  nine  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
pounds  to  ten  hundred  and  forty  pounds;  he  was 
weighed  several  times,  and  tliese  two  statements  of  his 
weight,  at  different  times,  are  the  extremes.  Many 
persons  who  have  frequently  seen  him  weighed,  say 
they  never  knew  him  weigh  more  than  ten  hundred 
and  thirty,  nor  less  than  ten  hundred  and  fifteen  pounds. 
He  was  a dark,  rich  chestnut;  his  off  hind-leg  was 
white  from  the  foot  half  way  to  the  hock,  and  he  had 
a white  stripe  in  his  face,  beginning  at  the  edge  of  the 


WOODBURY. 


159 


upper-lip,  filling  the  space  between  the  nostrils,  and 
extending  more  than  half  way  to  his  eyes.  Ilis  mane 
was  not  very  thick,  or  long,  and  was  lighter  than  either 
of  the  others,  still  it  was  full.  His  tail  was  cut  off 
when  a colt,  and  left  about  ten  inches  long ; the  hair 
was  very  full,  and  curly ; both  mane  and  tail  were  about 
the  same  color  as  his  body.  The  hair  on  the  body 
was  fine,  short  and  soft.  He  was  close  and  compactly 
built,  with  heavy  quarters  and  deep  flanks ; his  chest 
was  good  and  the  shoulders  finely  shaped ; he  had  a 
short  back,  and  broad,  sinewy  loins.  His  legs  had 
some  long  hairs  on  the  back-side,  but  were  well  shaped, 
somewhat  larger  than  Sherman’s  and  not  so  large  as 
Bulrush’s.  His  head  was  small  and  lean,  with  a fine, 
firm  muzzle,  the  nostrils  very  large  and  full,  face 
straight,  very  wide  between  the  eyes,  which  were  dark 
hazel,  very  large  and  prominent,  and  showed  no  white 
around  the  edge  of  the  lid.  His  ears  were  small  and 
fine,  but  rather  short,  and  set  somewhat  wider  apart 
than  many  would  consider  consistent  with  perfect 
beauty.  His  style  of  action  was  bold  and  resolute,  and 
his  temperament  was  so  nervous,  that  when  taken  out 
with  a bridle  it  was  almost  impossible  to  keep  him  still. 
He  was  a good  driver  and  appeared  well  in  harness,  but 
he  appeared  to  the  best  advantage  under  the  saddle. 
Militia  Colonels  and  Generals  were  eager  to  ride  him, 
and  no  “musters”  or  reviews  could  pass  without  his 
being  seen ; in  his  case,  to  be  seen  was  to  be  admired. 
His  disposition  was  pleasant  and  playful. 

As  has  been  said,  he  was  taken  to  Gainesville,  Ala., 
in  the  autumn  of  1836,  being  then  twenty  years  old. 
He  was  shipped  from  Boston,  on  board  a small  sailing 


160 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


vessel ; he  suflfered  much  from  the  long  and  stormy 
passage,  and  never  fully  recovered  from  the  effects  of 
it.  It  is  altogether  likely  that  the  climate  and  food  did 
not  agree  with  him,  for  neither  was  such  as  he  had  been 
accustomed  to ; however  this  may  be,  it  is  certain  he 
continued  to  fail  until  he  died  in  1838.  Woodbury  was 
the  largest  of  these  horses,  and  possessed  in  a greater 
degree  the  bold,  fearless  and  showy  style  of  their 
sire;  he  was  more  nervous,  and  less  tractable  than 
Sherman,  better  under  the  saddle,  not  so  pleasant  in 
harness,  and  we  are  inclined  to  think  hardly  as  good 
a roadster.  His  form  was  more  symmetrical  than 
either  of  the  others ; his  breast  was  not  so  full  and 
prominent  as  Sherman’s ; he  was  deeper  in  the  flanks 
and  better  quartered.  Ho  horse  ever  had  less  fear. 
Martial  music  only  roused  him,  the  firing  of  guns 
in  no  way  disturbed  him,  weaving  flags  and  gay  uni- 
forms seemed  hardly  able  to  attract  from  him  a single 
glance,  and  he  moved  about  as  if  he  was  himself  the 
principal  object  of  attraction  and  the  cause  of  all  the 
attending  excitement  and  display. 

Bulrush  was  foaled  in  1812  or  1813.  Of  this  we 
think  there  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt,  although  it  has 
been  stated  that  he  was  foaled  in  1816.  We  have  con- 
sulted persons  who  owned  both  Bulrush  and  W oodbury, 
and  they  all  agree  that  Bulrush  was  the  oldest  of  the  two. 
How,  there  is  no  question  but  that  Woodbury  was 
foaled  in  1816,  and  if  Bulrush  was  older,  it  is  altogether 
probable  that  he  was  more  than  one  year  older,  for  the 
Justin  Morgan  was  taken  to  Claremont  early  in  the 
spring  of  1814,  and  remained  there  one  year,  and  the 


NORTH  STAR. 


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BULRUSH. 


161 


dam  of  Bulrush,  was  owned  in  Eandolph,  Vt.,  the  year 
he  was  sired,  so  that  in  the  absence  of  any  other  tes- 
timony, we  might  very  reasonably  conclude  that  he  was 
not  foaled  later  than  1814;  but  the  testimony  of  Chester 
Belknap  is  clear  and  direct,  that  he  was  foaled  in  1812. 
Mr.  Belknap  was  married  in  1819 ; his  father,  who 
raised  the  horse,  owned  him  at  that  time,  and  soon  after 
sold  him  to  Abel  Densmore,  of  Chelsea,  Vt. ; he  was  then 
seven  years  old.  This  statement  of  Mr.  Belknap’s,  in 
relation  to  the  age  of  Bulrush,  is  confirmed  by  many 
persons  who  knew  him  well,  and  there  can  hardly  be 
a doubt  that  it  is  correct.  The  blood  of  the  dam  of 
Bulrush  is  unknown.  She  was  a dark  bay,  with  .black 
legs,  and  heavj^  black  mane  and  tail ; she  was  low  and 
compact,  had  heavy  limbs,  with  large  joints,  neck  rather 
long,  a good  head,  but  did  not  carry  it  up  very  well ; 
she  was  a sharp  trotter,  but  was  not  a very  spirited 
driver ; she  was  said  to  be,  and  had  the  appearance  of 
being,  part  French.  She  was  owned  by  Mr.  Moses 
Belknap,  of  Eandolph,Vt.,  at  the  time  Bulrush  was  sired. 
Mr.  Belknap  obtained  her  of  a Mr.  Boutwell,  a teamster 
from  Montpelier,  Vt.,  who  worked  her  in  a six-horse 
team,  hauling  merchandise  and  produce  between  Mont- 
pelier and  Boston.  She  was  a very  rugged,  hardy,  en- 
during animal,  but  Mr.  Boutwell  thought  her  too  small 
for  his  business,  and  he  exchanged  her  with  Mr.  Belk- 
nap for  a larger  horse.  She  weighed  about  ten  hundred 
pounds.  Mr.  Belknap  sold  her  late  in  the  winter,  when 
in  foal  by  Justin  Morgan,  to  Ziba  Gifford,  Esq.,  of  Tun- 
bridge, Yt.,  Mr.  Gifford  to  keep  the  colt  until  four 
months  old  and  return  it  to  Mr.  Belknap,  or  pay  thir- 


162 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


teen  dollars  more  and  keep  it.  Mr.  Gifford  preferred 
to  return  the  colt  and  did  so. 

Mr.  Belknap  kept  Bulrush  in  Tunbridge  and  vicin- 
ity, until  1819,  when  he  sold  him  to  Abel  Densmore, 
of  Chelsea,  Yt.  Mr.  Densmore  sold  him  to  Darius 
Sprague,  of  Eandolph,  Yt.,  who  sold  him  March  8th, 
1826,  to  Messrs.  Simon  Smith  and  William  Yfalker,  of 
Hartland,  Yt.,  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  They 
kept  him  at  Hartland  and  vicinity^  until  they  dissolved 
partnership  in  1829,  when  Mr.  Smith  took  Bulrush  to 
Maidstone,  Yt.  He  kept  him  one  year  at  Chelsea  and 
two  years  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and  in  1833  sold  him 
to  Jesse  Johnson  and  Brothers,  of  Bradford,  Yt.  The 
season  of  1833  he  was  kept  at  Bradford,  Yt.,  and 
Bath,  N.  H. ; the  season  of  1834  at  Keene,  K.  H. ; 
the  season  of  1835,  at  Lyme,  N.  H.,  and  Bradford,  Yt. ; 
and  the  season  of  1836,  at  Burlington,  Yt.  During 
the  winter  of  1836  and  1837,  the  Messrs.  Johnson 
sold  him  to  Messrs.  Blake  and  Foss,  of  Chelsea,  Yt., 
who  kept  him  in  that  town  until  1842,  when  they  sold 
him  to  Lewis  Jenkins,  of  Fairlee,  Yt.,  who  kept  him 
at  Fairlee  until  he  sold  him  to  F.  A.  Weir,  of  Walpole 
N.  H.,  who  kept  him  until  he  died  in  1848. 

Bulrush  was  a dark  bay,  with  a few  white  hairs  in 
his  forehead,  and  no  other  marks ; his  legs,  mane  and 
tail  were  black,  and  his  mane  and  tail  were  very  heavy 
— the  former  came  down  nearly  to  his  knees,  and  his 
foretop  came  down  to  his  nose ; his  tail  was  cut  off 
when  young  and  left  about  nine  or  ten  inches  long ; 
his  legs  were  large  and  had  some  long  hair,  were  close- 
jointed,  broad,  flat,  and  exhibited  a more  striking  de- 


BULRUSH. 


163 


velopment  of  muscle  than  either  Woodbury’s  or  Sher- 
man’s ; his  back  was  not  so  short  as  either  of  the  others’, 
but  it  was  very  broad,  and  he  was  freer  from  any  im- 
putation of  sway-back  than  any  of  his  brothers,  though 
towards  the  close  of  his  life  he  indeed  fell  away  in  his 
loins,  as  is  always  the  case  in  old  stallions.  His  hips 
were  very  good,  but  not  so  long  as  Sherman’s,  and  he 
was  not  so  well  quartered  as  Woodbury,  but  he  was 
deeper  in  the  chest  than  either  of  them  ; his  shoulders 
were  thicker  and  not  so  well  placed,  and  his  head  and 
neck  were  not  so  well  set  up.  He  was  not  so  proud, 
bold  and  lofty  in  his  carriage  as  Woodbury,  and  he  had 
not  Sherman’s  short,  nervous  step,  and  tractable  but 
high-spirited  temper ; but  he  was  a sharp,  quick  driver, 
and  a faster  trotter  than  either  of  them.  He  was  a 
little  inclined  to  be  cross,  but  was  not  fierce,  or  in  any 
respect  unmanageable ; on  the  contrary,  he  was  very 
kind  in  harness,  always  working  pleasantly  wherever 
put.  His  most  remarkable  characteristic  was  his  power 
of  endurance.  For  this,  we  think  it  is  generally  ad- 
mitted, he  had  no  rival ; and  his  extraordinary  lasting- 
ness has  become  proverbial  where  he  was  known.  His 
stock  bear  a strong  resemblance  to  him,  and  are  very 
numerous ; are  mostly  dark  bay  without  marks,  never 
sorrel  or  light  chestnut ; occasionally  a dark  gray,  from 
a white  mare,  may  be  found.  Bulrush  was  about  four- 
teen hands  high,  and  weighed  about  one  thousand 
pounds. 

Bulrush,  Sherman,  and  Woodbury,  were  treated 
very  much  alike.  Until  after  ten  years  old,  each  of 
them  was  employed  most  of  the  time  at  the  ordinary 
team-work  of  a farm,  and  at  no  period  of  their  lives  did 


164 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


they  have  any  more  care  than  the  common  horses  of 
the  country ; and  never  had  much  knowledge  of  thick 
blankets  and  warm  stables,  but  were  early  inured  to 
the  labor  and  hardship,  fatigue  and  exposure,  incident 
to  a new  and  mountainous  country  and  a cold  climate. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  cold,  dry  atmosphere,  and 
pure  water  of  our  mountains,  has  contributed  as  much 
as  the  rich  pastures  of  our  valleys  to  the  stoutness, 
courage  and  lastingness  of  our  horses. 

We  have  thus  slightly  sketched  the  more  obvious 
distinctions  and  general  characteristics  of  these  cele- 
brated sons  of  the  original  or  Justin  Morgan.  While 
they  differed  in  the  particulars  we  have  herein  set  forth^ 
(which  difference  was  rather  in  the  degree,  than  the 
nature  of  their  qualities,)  they  all  possessed  the  great 
and  striking  features  of  their  distinguished  sire.  The 
same  compactness  of  form,  great  muscular  development, 
hardy,  rugged  constitution,  docility  and  tractableness, 
short,  easy,  rapid  step,  eager  ambition  and  lofty  courage, 
so  remarkable  in  him,  were  found  in  each  of  them  in  a 
high  degree.  Through  these  noble  channels,  the  blood  - 
of  the  Justin  Morgan  has  been  poured  profusely  into 
the  hitherto  hardy  stock  of  Vermont,  conveying  not 
only  the  very  form  of  the  great  original,  but  all  his 
unrivalled  vigor,  grace,  and  ease  of  motion,  combined 
with  his  docility  and  matchless  courage. 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 


' GENERAL  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  DIFFERENT  FAMILIES  AND  THEIR 
DISTINGUISHING  CHARACTERISTICS. 

Any  disinterested  reader  of  the  articles  that  have  at 
various  times  appeared  in  the  sporting  and  agricultural 
magazines  of  the  country,  written  by  persons  interested 
in  the  different  families  of  thorough-breds,  cannot  fail 
to  have  noticed  that  a great  diversity  of  opinion  exists 
among  them,  as  to  the  relative  value  of  the  stock  of 
these  different  families.  They  may  agree  perfectly  as 
to  the  unrivalled  excellence  of  some  common  ancestor, 
but  differ  widely  as  to  the  relative  merits  of  the  differ- 
ent families  descended  from  him.  They  will  unite  in 
an  effort  to  make  it  appear  that  Diomed  was  the  finest 
horse  ever  imported  to  this  country ; but,  guided  by 
different  tastes  or  diverse  interests,  will  make  a corre- 
sponding effort  to  advance  the  claims  of  particular  fam- 
ilies descended  from  him.  One  asserts  that  Sir  Archy 
was  far  the  most  worthy  of  his  sons,  and  points  exult- 
ingly  to  the  unrivalled  speed  and  beauty  of  Sir  Henry ; 
while  another  with  equal  confidence  sustains  the  claims 
of  Duroc  to  this  distinction,  and  triumphantly  refers  to 
the  unequalled  power  and  endurance  of  Eclipse.  Again, 
another  interested,  perhaps,  in  other  strains  of  blood 
says : Sir  Henry  vras  too  small,  and  believes  Eclipse 
derived  his  lasting  endurance  from  Messenger  or  Gim- 
crack. 


(166) 


166 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


So  it  is  with  persons  interested  in  different  families 
descended  from  the  Justin  Morgan.  They  find  no 
difficulty  in  agreeing  as  to  his  merit,  but  do  not  at  all 
agree  as  to  the  merit  of  his  celebrated  sons.  Some, 
while  they  manifest  a decided  preference  to  one  branch 
do  not  deny  that  the  others  possess  some  valuable 
qualities.  While  others,  less  candid,  or  more  strongly 
influenced  by  interest,  deny  that  any  other  family  save 
that  to  which  their  own  animals  belong  is  deserving  of 
any  notice.  We  do  not  pretend,  that  this  is  by  any 
means  universal — on  the  contrary,  we  are  well  aware 
that  there  are  many  candid,  thoughtful,  and  intelligent 
breeders,  who,  although  breeding  from  but  one  family, 
yet  freely  admit  that  while  they  have  a preference  for 
one  branch,  they  cannot  deny  that  either  of  the  others 
may  possess  qualities  equally  valuable.  It  is  not  to  be 
supposed  that  these  families  were  exactly  alike.  We 
have  in  a former  chapter  endeavored  to  point  out  the 
points  in  which  the  heads  of  these  families  differed 
from  one  another,  so  is  there  a noticeable  difference  in 
their  descendants. 

It  does  not  necessarily  follow  that  because  there  is  a 
noticeable  difference  between  two  animals,  there  must 
be  a corresponding  difference  in  value ; for  we  cannot 
lay  down  abstract  rules  so  that  the  business  for  which 
the  horse  is  wanted  being  given,  we  may  determine  his 
value,  by  any  application  of  avoirdupois  measure  or 
Gunter’s  rule.  Two  horses  may  be  so  nearly  equal  in 
value  that  the  very  best  horsemen  may  honestly  differ 
in  choosing  between  them ; and  yet  they  may  be  so 
dissimilar  that  a child  can  mark  the  difference. 

Besides,  there  are  many  points  connected  with  what 


DIFFERENT  FAMILIES. 


167 


fanciers  call  the  ^‘finish”  of  a horse,  that  are  as  ex- 
clusive matters  of  taster  as  the  style  of  a lady’s  dress — 
such  as  the  expression  of  the  eye,  the  color,  the  relative 
proportion  of  bone  and  muscle,  the  temperament,  style 
of  movement,  &c. 

Should  any  one  succeed  in  defining  clearly  what  he 
considered  superlative  excellence  in  these  particulars — 
he  would  only  have  succeeded  in  publishing  his  own 
taste  in  the  matter,  instead  of  establishing  any  general 
rule  by  which  others  would  be  guided.  For  these 
reasons,  we  cannot  be  too  cautious  in  deciding  upon  the 
relative  value  of  different  animals  closely  resembling 
each  other  in  all  their  most  striking  and  leading  charac- 
teristics. Therefore,  we  shall  not  attemipt  to  decide 
which  of  these  families  possesses  the  most  valuable 
qualities,  but  shall  content  ourselves  with  endeavoring 
to  show  the  principal  points  in  which  they  differ. 

There  can  be  said  to  be  but  three  distinct  families  of 
Morgan  horses,  namely,  the  Bulrush,  Sherman  and 
Woodbury.  For  although  the  Hawkins  horse  left  some 
stock  about  Derby  and  Stanstead,  and  Eevenge  some 
in  the  vicinity  of  Claremont,  N.  H.,  yet  there  are  not 
now  a sufficient  number  of  animals  living  descended 
from  these  stallions  to  entitle  them  to  be  classed  as  dis- 
tinct families.  The  Bulrush  family  are  most  numerous 
in  that  portion  of  the  States  of  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire  lying  on  Connecticut  river,  between  Wind- 
sor and  Newbury.  They  are  almost  invariably  deep 
bays  or  browns,  with  black  legs,  manes  and  tails ; in 
this  respect  they  differ  from  the  other  families,  and  also 
in  their  general  (we  might  almost  say  universal)  free- 
dom from  any  marks,  such  as  white  feet  or  white  spots 


168 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


in  the  face.  They  have  large  limbs,  wide,  flat  and 
muscular,  sometimes  inclined  to  be  a little  coarse,  but 
the  joints  are  good,  and  the  whole  limb  very  large  in 
proportion  to  the  size  of  the  animal.  We  do  not  recol- 
lect ever  seeing  a spavin  or  a ringbone  on  a Bulrush 
horse.  They  exhibit  great  development  of  muscle,  and 
in  point  of  size  are  fully  equal  to  the  average  of  Morgans. 
They  have  not  so  bright,  lively  and  intelligent  eyes  as 
the  other  families,  though  the  eye  is  by  no  means  dull 
or  stupid.  They  do  not  carry  their  heads  as  high,  nor 
have  they  as  bold  and  eager  an  expression  as  the  Wood- 
burys,  and  they  have  not  as  graceful  and  easy  motion 
as  the  Shermans,  but  for  lastingness  and  power  of  en- 
durance, we  believe  they  have  no  rivals  in  this,  or  any 
other  country,  among  Morgan’s  or  any  other  breed. 
There  is  really  some  ground  for  the  assertion  a jockey 
acquaintance  once  made  to  us,  that  “ a smart  active  boy 
would  wear  out  a wrought-iron  rocking-pony,  sooner 
than  a grown  up  man  could  break  down  the  constitution 
of  a Bulrush  horse.”  In  addition  to  this  power  of  en- 
durance, they  are  generally  sharp,  keen  drivers,  and 
many  of  them  are  fast.  They  are  not  excitable,  never 
fret  upon  the  road ; but  are  busy,  industrious  workers. 
Some  of  this  family  have  considerable  long  hair  upon 
the  legs,  and  others  are  entirely  free  from  it ; most  of 
them  have  very  heavy  manes  and  tails. 

The  Woodbury  family  are  found  most  numerous  in 
the  central  part  of  the  State  of  7 ermont.  There  are 
also  many  along  the  Connecticut  Eiver,  between  Brat- 
tleboro’  and  Newbury.  The  founders  of  this  and  of 
the  Bulrush  families  were  bred  close  together  and  re- 
mained near  each  other  most  of  their  lives ; hence  their 


DIFFERENT  FAMILIES. 


169 


descendants  are  found  in  the  same  vicinity.  The  aver- 
age size  of  the  Woodbury s,  we  believe  to  be  greater 
than  either  of  the  other  families.  They  are  deeper  in 
the  flanks,  with  heavier  quarters,  but  not  so  heavy  in 
the  chest.  Some  are  inclined  to  be  hollow-backed,  and 
in  this  respect  differ  from  the  Bulrushes.  They  have 
an  exceedingly  bold,  lofty  and  resolute  style  of  action, 
and  are  overflowing  with  spirit  and  nervous  energy. 
They  are  generally  very  tractable,  but  eager  and  rest- 
less; are  full  of  ambition  and  cat-like  activity,  that 
makes  them  favorite  horses  for  parade.  Their  prevail- 
ing color  is  chestnut  or  bay,  often  with  a white  stripe 
or  star  in  the  face,  and  white  on  one  or  both  of  the  hind- 
feet.  Only  a few  of  this  family  have  any  long  hair  on 
the  legs  above  the  fetlocks,  and  they  do  not  generally 
have  as  heavy  manes  and  tails  as  the  other  families. 
They  have  a shorter  gait  than  the  Bulrushes,  and  are 
spirited,  pleasant  drivers.  The  limbs,  with  the  excep- 
tion that  they  are  freer  from  long  hairs,  closely  resemble 
the  limbs  of  the  Shermans,  being  not  so  large  as  the 
limbs  of  the  Bulrushes.  They  have  generally  a softer 
coat  than  either  of  the  other  families. 

The  Woodburys  have  the  largest,  most  prominent 
and  brightest  eyes  of  any  of  the  Morgans.  The  fore- 
head is  also  very  broad  and  the  muzzle  good,  but  in 
some  of  them  the  jowls  are  not  so  well  shaped  as  the 
others. 

The  Shermans  are  most  numerous  in  that  part  of 
the  State  between  Newbury  and  the  Canada  line,  and 
the  neighboring  parts  of  New  Hampshire,  about  Brow- 
nington,  Derby,  and  Stanstead,  and  in  Addison  county. 
We  think  the  Shermans  are  generally  smaller  than  the 
8 


170 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Woodburys.  They  are  more  inclined  to  be  hollow- 
backed — but  their  backs  are  very  short,  with  wide,  full 
and  exceedingly  muscular  loins,  so  that  although  some 
of  them  may  be  called  hollow-backed,  yet  we  venture 
to  say  that  none  of  them  were  ever  known  to  have 
weak  backs.  They  are  deeper  in  the  chest,  with  a 
more  prominent  breast  bone,  and  lighter  quarters  than 
the  Woodburys.  Their  limbs  are  superlatively  good; 
and  although  they  oftener  have  more  long  hair  upon 
them  than  the  Woodburys,  yet  underneath  this  hair 
will  invariably  be  found  a hard,  sinewy  limb,  free  from 
windgalls  or  any  other  unsoundness. 

They  have  a shorter  gait  than  the  Bulrushes,  and 
do  not  raise  their  feet  as  high  in  travelling. 

They  have  not  so  bold,  eager,  and  commanding  a 
style  of  action  as  the  Woodburys;  but  we  think  they 
have  a better  temper  for  driving,  and  full  as  much  spirit ; 
and  nothing  can  exceed  their  courage  on  the  road.  They 
have  a more  rapid  walk  than  either  of  the  other  fami- 
lies, and  an  exceedingly  short,  nervous  step  that  creeps 
up  the  longest  hills  at  a rate  that  would  surprise  a 
person  unacquainted  with  them.  They  are  easily 
broken  to  harness,  and,  though  spirited,  are  very  gentle 
and  tractable,  and  may  be  easily  taught  to  stand  with- 
out fastening  wherever  left.  A little  circumstance  that 
came  under  our  own  observation  will  illustrate  this. 
Sitting  one  evening  in  the  hotel  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Yt., 
and  talking  with  a conductor  of  the  Passumpsic  Kail- 
road,  we  said  to  him  that  we  understood  he  had  a very 
smart  little  mare  of  the  Sherman  family.  He  said  he 
had,  that  she  was  out  in  the  street  before  a cutter,  and  as 
the  night  was  not  very  dark,  proposed  that  we  should 


DIFFERENT  FAMILIES. 


171 


go  out  and  look  at  her.  We  went  out  upon  the  steps, 
but  did  not  notice  any  animal  about  the  premises. 
However,  our  friend  commenced  calling  “Nelly! 
Nelly  1 here  Nelly  1”  and  sure  enough  the  mare,  who 
was  standing  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and 
some  six  or  seven  rods  from  us,  pricked  up  her  ears, 
and  immediately  came  over  to  the  place  where  we 
were  standing.  We  jumped  into  the  sleigh  and  took 
a turn  down  the  street,  the  mare  proving  herself  as 
spirited  as  she  was  gentle. 

The  Shermans,  like  the  Woodburys,  are  generally 
chestnut  or  bay,  chestnut  being  the  prevailing  color, 
light  chestnut  being  more  common  in  this  than  the 
other  families.  A white  stripe  or  star  in  the  face,  and 
white  hind  feet,  are  very  common. 

We  think  the  Shermans  have  the  best  action  in 
harness,  and  the  W oodburys  the  best  action  under  the 
saddle,  or  moving  without  saddle  or  harness  at  the 
end  of  a bridle  rein.  Persons  unaccustomed  to  use 
horses  except  under  the  saddle  may  not  understand  in 
what  this  difference  consists,  and  we  will  endeavor  to 
explain.  To  appear  well  upon  a parade  or  fair  ground, 
under  the  saddle,  or  led,  the  horse  must  have  a good 
figure,  with  abundance  of  muscle,  the  head  must  be 
carried  high,  and  he  must  be  overflowing  with  life  and 
nervous  energy,  that  keeps  him  constantly  in  graceful 
and  active  motion.  His  movements  are  comparatively, 
unrestrained.  If  he  champs  his  bit,  and  tosses  his 
mane  with  excitement,  it  will  not  injure  his  appearance, 
provided  he  exhibits  a pleasant  temper,  and  yields 
cheerfully  and  readily  to  the  authority  of  his  master. 

To  appear  well  in  harness,  the  horse  must  have  a 


172 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


figure  equally  good,  the  same  muscular  development, 
and  exhibit  a high  spirit,  but  he  must  have  less  eager- 
ness, he  must  have  submitted  himself  perfectly  to  the 
control  of  his  driver.  He  must  carry  his  head  high, 
but  must  keep  it  constantly  and  easily  in  that  position ; 
he  must  move  directly  forward  without  any  prancing 
or  sidelong  motion,  and*  must  move  invariably  in  a 
walk  or  trot ; in  short,  he  must  be  a perfect  and  beau- 
tiful machine,  guided  by  a touch,  and  controlled  by  a 
word.  If  touched  with  the  whip,  he  must  not  bound 
with  fright  or  ill  temper,  nor  if  possessed  of  the  right 
temper  will  he  fail  to  notice  it — on  the  contrary,  he 
will  not  soon  forget  it,  and  the  driver  who  ventures  to 
administer  the  blow  will  find  ample  evidence,  in  the 
increased  and  steady  pull  upon  the  reins,  that  it  did 
not  pass  unnoticed.  While  thus  moving  like  some 
beautiful  machine,  and  submitting  wholly  to  control, 
every  movement  must  appear  perfectly  easy  and  natu- 
ral, and  there  should  be  no  appearance  of  restraint, 
just  as  all  the  attitudes  and  gestures  of  the  finished 
actor  appear  spontaneous  and  natural,  when  in  fact 
they  are  all  studied  and  artificial. 

Black  Hawk  and  Green  Mountain  (in  the  list  of 
pedigrees  he  is  called  Green  Mountain  second,  to  dis- 
tinguish him  from  an  older  horse  of  the  same  name) 
will  illustrate  our  meaning : they  are  both  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  race,  and  are  both  widely  and  favorably 
known.  Aside  from  his  speed,  the  reputation  of  Black 
Hawk  as  an  elegant  driving  horse  is  too  thoroughly 
established  to  be  in  any  way  increased  or  diminished, 
by  what  we  might  say  of  him,  and  we  refer  to  him 
only  to  illustrate  our  meaning.  He  comes  nearer  to 


DIFFERENT  FAMILIES. 


173 


our  beau  ideal  of  a perfect  driving  horse  than  any 
other  animal  we  have  ever  seen.  Possessed  of  abun- 
dance of  spirit  and  life,  there  is  also  manifest  a quiet- 
ness and  evenness  of  temper  that  makes  him  under  all 
circumstances  perfectly  controllable ; his  step  is  nervous 
and  elastic,  but  no  unnecessary  steps  are  taken.  His 
style  of  movement  is  bold  and  fearless,  while  every 
motion  is  instinct  with  grace.  But  he  has  not  that  ex- 
uberant, overflowing,  and  irrepressible  spirit  of  action 
that  prevents  him  from  being  a moment  at  rest.  Green 
Mountain  is  rarely  if  ever  exhibited  in  harness,  and 
properly  enough,  for  although  we  have  no  doubt  he  is 
a fine  driving  horse,  yet  it  is  not  in  that  capacity  he 
appears  to  the  best  advantage.  While  under  the  sad- 
dle, or  led  by  a bridle  rein,  in  style  of  movement — in 
muscular  development — in  spirit  and  action — ^he  need 
not  fear  comparison  with  any  horse  living.  There  is 
a boldness  in  his  style,  a ^re  in  his  eye,  and  an  unceas- 
ing play  to  every  muscle,  that  once  seen  by  a person 
having  any  taste  for  a horse  will  never  be  forgotten. 
In  boldness  and  gracefulness  of  style  he  resembles 
Grey  Eagle  of  Kentucky,  but  has  more  fire  in  his  eye, 
and  is  more  unceasing  in  his  action. 

In  drawing  a comparison  between  the  different  fam- 
ilies, and  in  endeavoring  to  point  out  those  qualities 
which  as  families  they  possess  in  different  degrees,  it 
will  be  readily  seen  that  we  can  lay  down  no  general 
rules  of  this  kind  that  will  not  have  many  exceptions ; 
for  in  many  respects  these  distinctions  are  so  slight 
that  they  are  often  unnoticed,  and  the  fact  that  the 
different  families  are  now  being  crossed  with  each 


174 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


other,  is  gradually  effacing  these  distinctions.  This 
crossing  of  the  different  families,  if  properly  conducted, 
will,  we  believe,  be  of  great  benefit,  and  tend  much  to 
the  improvement  of  the  race,  and  should  be  fostered 
and  encouraged  by  our  agricultural  societies.  There 
has  in  some  instances  been  manifested  a disposition 
among  persons  owning  stock  of  one  of  these  families, 
to  endeavor  to  establish  the  reputation  of  their  own 
animals  by  denying  the  good  qualities  of  their  neigh- 
bors. This  is  a weakness  that  is  not  confined  to  Ver- 
mont, but  we  suppose  must  be  found  everywhere  so 
long  as  human  nature  is  frail:  still,  however  common  it 
may  be,  it  is  none  the  less  a weakness.  We  say  “weak- 
ness,” for,  although  slandering  a neighbor’s  stock  is  a 
gross  wrong,  yet  is  it  pre-eminently  a weakness,  and  no 
really  shrewd  and  intelligent  man  will  ever  be  guilty 
of  it,  for  it  is  always  sure  to  re-act  with  twofold  force 
upon  him  who  resorts  to  it. 

The  breeder  whose  stock  has  so  little  merit  of  its 
own  that  it  must  be  bolstered  up  by  detracting  some- 
thing from  his  neighbors,  we  earnestly  exhort  to  sell 
out  at  once,  and  purchase  some  that  can  rely  solely 
upon  its  own  merits  for  distinction ; for,  if  it  is  wanting 
in  merit,  no  art  can  bring  it  into  repute,  and  keep  it  long 
in  favor ; and,  if  it  is  superior,  be  satisfied  with  exhibit- 
ing it  to  the  public,  and  rest  assured  that  there  will 
not  be  wanting  men  with  sagacity  enough  to  see  and 
appreciate  it. 


jhiiirlirr  vhwfusqiti ,«Mitfni(l ^ .lu^piwki.^ 
bA^uaatid4tti9f^Wa4^M»tti^  »n  •li.viv 
fanuiw^  Miti>faiuri»  'j»  JH^MB9v<nqaii 

iTKdT  -.aiitwioa  ivuiJiuoh^  iM  >/J  butt 

aoiiiaoqtUi  .s  iM^tndtiaaot  «9«d  •%w«teuf>.oiao*'.«i 
io  aiM  1»«3ki)te 

'V<  jio^ii^fM  *dj  i(MM4tH9  «r  wn/abtr^  ^f 

« tirfr  jmo4.. 
4wo«--i  W <ow 

|i>aMaAiiJ4^«»v»«<Ml>rU^  :liard4o«ste(rjiimio^  ^ocd 
•*  Tiw  *V/  ^JtuUsw  e o(W>it  ^•(ef  -^km 

A.^  >T**t 

oa  Jma  ^;rbt»v  b i^r  to7  (SKon/Mot^ 

acl  TW9  ittw  hfflt  fri^rtA^Tlfeail 

»wot  uoio  iiyimiiniiin  ^ 

:.  y.  • ' ;•  ' - .1  orfl^ 

. ; . -'  . , V 

(rtlite  ♦h'S*  oi»‘eRrf  '3feo^«f  9iiir>ri-»- Ts4>^.'f 
‘WK«  7<i‘qff  bm9ti!o49cf  tatffa  fi 

fba  i^»mdyd  ^^few»tiT«4  9MT  yffwvf Slif  'pQA^ 
yfefc«  Tjyr  SIS'*  MS<>H  MiSicniK| 
jltittnKA^ifi  !»-,•»»#•  t«fclSwtfe«ih  #^thofn  itWo  eii  dfxji/ 
lKW,9iuq9^  oJ6i  riTtirti'wf  ftaa  na'^a  ^h'  sr  'M 

te"^r  hitti  >^!i.fiW[  ffft  '6i  if  §<(1^ 

•flfl 

■ .''■  ...  V . >v,.  ■■  .i-5 .-  ^ M 

tiAX  ' ' '•  -.  w*  r-  • '*  J%  >■  iW-  V*  V ’ . • ■■ 

j«»  --'’  ;»#?••. -ft 

m 

• V-  ■ AiW'rlwrt*'  ' ur'  1^  4i^ 


Ci  1 xM  C R A C K . 


CHAPTEE  IX. 


PRESENT  CONDITION  OP  THIS  STOCK  IN  VERMONT. 

To  understand  well  the  present  condition  of  this 
breed  of  horses,  it  will  be  necessary  to  glance  at  the 
original  horse  and  his  immediate  descendants,  and 
contrast  them  with  stallions  of  repute  of  that  blood 
of  the  present  day.  For  although  such  a comparison 
in  no  way  assists  us  to  determine  the  height,  weight, 
or  any  other  qualities  of  the  breed  as  they  now  exist, 
yet  it  is  indispensably  necessary  to  enable  us  to  ascer- 
tain whether  any  change  has  taken  place  in  their  gen- 
eral character,  and  if  so,  what  that  change  is. 

From  a careful  consideration  of  all  the  most  reliable 
accounts  of  the  Justin  Morgan,  he  was  about  fourteen 
hands  high,  and  his  weight,  in  good  condition,  not  far 
from  nine  hundred  and  fifty  pounds. 

His  weight  is  only  obtained  by  estimate,  as  there  is 
no  account  of  his  having  been  weighed;  and,  as  weigh- 
ing live  animals  was  by  no  means  common  at  that  day, 
it  is  highly  probable  that  it  was  never  accurately  ascer- 
tained. His  height  we  undoubtedly  have  more  nearly 
exact,  for  horsemen  who  knew  him  are  much  better 
agreed  as  to  that,  and  they  would  judge  much  more 
accurately  of  his  height  from  the  fact  that  height  was 
the  usual  measure  of  size  at  that  time. 

In  a previous  chapter  we  have  described  the  most 
celebrated  animals  sired  by  him,  and  those  from  which 


176 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


onr  present  stock  is  entirely  derived.  From  a com- 
parison of  the  height  and  weight  of  these  animals, 
namely,  the  Sherman,  Bulrush,  and  Woodbury,  with 
the  sire,  we  shall  see  that  they  were  both  taller  and 
heavier. 

Between  these  three  horses  there  was  a very  strik- 
ing resemblance  in  all  their  leading  characteristics,  as 
we  have  already  seen ; and  each  exhibited  in  a high 
degree  those  qualities  that  have  given  such  celebrity 
to  their  sire.  All  had  the  compact  form,  the  wide  bony 
legs,  great  nervous  energy,  vigorous  health  and  iron 
constitution,  that  enabled  them  to  endure  for  years 
the  severest  labor  upon  scanty  feed,  and  with  little 
care,  not  only  without  breaking  down,  but  without 
receiving  the  slightest  injury.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
we  see  them  exhibiting  constitutions  as  unimpaired, 
limbs  as  free  from  any  sort  of  blemish,  and  almost  as 
supple  and  as  sinewy  as  when  first  broken  to  harness, 
and  at  even  a later  date  showing  upon  all  occasions 
the  same  high  courage  and  invincible  spirit  that  was 
so  marked  a characteristic  of  the  Justin  Morgan,  never 
failing  to  attract  and  fasten  the  attention  of  the  most 
disinterested  observer.  In  these  great  qualities  little 
room  was  left  for  improvement,  and  perhaps  the  most 
that  can  be  expected  is  to  maintain  their  reputation  in 
these  respects.  In  these  traits  of  spirit  and  temper,  as 
well  as  in  their  size  and  general  form,  we  believe  they 
approach  much  nearer  the  Arabian  or  the  English 
thorough-bred  of  a century  since,  than  does  the  race- 
horse of  the  present  day.  This  we  think  will  appear 
evident  from  a comparison  of  the  best  specimens  of 
the  Morgans  with  the  likenesses  of  the  most  celebrated 


HIS  PKESENT  CONDITION. 


177 


thorough-breds  of  the  last  century,  and  with  the  de- 
scriptions given  by  all  travellers  of  the  Arabian,  as  he 
exists  in  his  native  deserts,  and  also  with  the  portraits 
of  the  most  fashionable  thorough-breds  of  the  present 
day  in  this  country. 

To  show  his  resemblance  to  the  English  thorough- 
bred of  a hundred  years  ago,  we  have  placed  at  the 
head  of  this  chapter  a portrait  of  the  celebrated  horse 
Gimcrack,  copied  from  an  engraving  of  him  published 
in  the  second  volume  of  the  “American  Turf  Eegister 
and  Sporting  Magazine.”  We  have  selected  this  horse, 
not  because  the  Morgan  horse  more  nearly  resembles 
him  than  others  of  his  time,  but  because  he  was  one  of 
the  most  noted  horses  of  that  day  in  England,  and 
both  he  and  his  descendants  have  been  justly  celebrated 
for  their  speed  and  endurance.  . 

Accompanying  the  portrait  of  Gimcrack,  in  the 
“American  Turf  Eegister,”  is  a short  Memoir  of  him, 
from  which  we  extract  the  following : 

“ Gimcrack,  the  sire  of  Medley,  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  horses  of  his  day  in  England.  He  was 
a gray,  and  called  the  ^ little  gray  horse  Gimcrack/ 
foaled  in  1760 ; got  by  Cripple,  a son  of  the  Godolphin 
Arabian ; dam,  Miss  Elliott,  by  Griswood’s  Partner ; 
grand  dam,  Celia,  by  Partner ; Bloody  Buttocks,  Grey- 
hound, Blockesby,  Betty.  Gimcrack  was  one  of  the 
severest  running  and  hardest  bottomed  horses  that  ever 
ran  in  England;  although  small,  yet  his  ability  to 
carry  weight  was  very  great,  for  he  frequently  gave 
the  odds  as  high  as  twenty-eight  pounds,  and  he  con- 
tinued on  the  turf  until  eleven  years  of  age,  thereby 
showing  his  uncommon  hardiness  of  constitution  and 


178 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


firmness  of  limbs.  *****  Gimcrack  had 
acquired  such  fame  and  celebrity  that  his  last  proprie- 
tor left  him  a length  of  time  at  Tattersall’s  for  the 
inspection  of  the  public.” 

A careful  comparison  of  this  portrait  with  the  cuts 
in  this  volume,  and  with  those  of  the  fashionable 
thorough-breds  of  the  present  day,  will  show  that  the 
Morgans  bear  the  closest  resemblance  to  the  Arabian 
or  thorough-bred  of  a hundred  years  since. 

Little  or  no  change  seems  to  have  taken  place  in  color 
in  the  progress  of  the  race,  bays  and  chestnuts  being 
the  prevailing  color  of  the  Morgans,  as  it  is  of  the  race- 
horse. It  will  be  remembered  that  of  the  three  stallions 
— the  Woodbury,  Bulrush,  and  Sherman — two  were 
chestnut  and  the  other  bay,  and  these  are  now  the  only 
colors  often  met  with.  In  speaking  of  the  breed  as 
they  now  exist,  it  will  be  understood  by  the  intelligent 
reader  that  no  notice  will  be  taken  of  animals  having 
only  a slight  tinge  of  Morgan  blood,  but  only  of  those 
bred  from  Morgan  stallions  of  repute  where  they  are 
known.  The  only  important  exception  we  have  known 
to  this  general  rule  of  color  is  in  the  case  of  Black 
Hawk,  who  is  jet  black,  and  takes  his  color  from  the 
dam. 

Yery  many  of  his  colts  take  their  color  from  him, 
but  some  of  them  do  not ; and  when  not  black  they  are 
almost  invariably  bays  or  chestnuts.  It  is  a curious 
fact  that  most  of  his  colts,  which  take  their  general 
color  from  him,  have  the  white  stripe  in  the  face,  and 
the  white  hind  feet  that  belonged  to  their  grand  sire, 
the  Sherman.. 

It  is  probable  that  the  short  fare  and  hard  service  to 


HIS  PRESENT  CONDITION. 


179 


wliich  the  original  Morgans  were  put,  somewhat  checked 
their  growth,  so  that  they  had  less  size  than  they  would 
have  had  under  better  fare  and  less  severe  labor.  It  is 
certain  that  the  true  Morgans  of  the  present  day  are 
decidedly  larger  than  the  original  stock.  First  let  us 
compare  some  of  the  most  noted  of  the  grandsons  of 
the  Justin  Morgan  with  him,  and  we  shall  see  that  they 
are,  or  were,  larger.  Black  Hawk,  height  14  hands, 
weight  1000  pounds ; Eoyal  Morgan  or  Crane  horse, 
height  13 f hands,  weight  1020  pounds;  Gifford,  height 
14|  hands,  weight  1000  pounds ; Barker  horse,  height 
15  hands,  weight  1075  pounds;  Morgan  Emperor, 
height  15  hands,  weight  1025  pounds;  Morgan  Trotter, 
height  14^  hands,  weight  1050  pounds. 

These  are  taken  equally  from  the  Bulrush,  Sher- 
man, and  Woodbury  branches,  and  were  all  of  them 
noted  stallions.  By  an  examination  of  any  consider- 
able number  of  stallions  of  this  breed  as  now  kept, 
any  good  judge  will  be  satisfied  that  the  race  has  de- 
cidedly increased  in  size.  To  show  that  the  above 
opinion,  formed  at  first  by  the  eye  after  examining  a 
great  number  of  these  horses,  is  correct,  we  have 
resorted  to  the  United  States  Agricultural  Society’s 
published  report  of  their  exhibition  at  Boston,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1855.  The  number  of  stallions  exhibited  was  one 
hundred  and  thirty ; and  of  these,  seventy  were  of 
Morgan  blood.  The  weight  of  twenty-five  of  these 
is  given,  but  three  of  them  are  four  years  old  and 
under.  Excepting  these,  because  not  fully  grown,  the 
average  weight  of  the  remaining  twenty-two  is  1040 
pounds.  This  we  think  may  be  considered  a very  fair 


180 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


statement  of  tte  average  weight  of  these  horses,  as 
among  them  were  horses  of  every  size  that  can  be 
found  of  this  breed  in  our  State.  It  is  certain  that 
the  size  has  been  increased. 

As  to  their  compactness,  strength  of  constitution, 
and  power  of  endurance,  we  can  see  no  reason  for 
believing  that  there  has  been  any  deterioration.  That 
they  have  retained  their  compactness,  is  so  evident  and 
so  well  known,  as  to  admit  of  no  question ; and  the 
eagerness  with  which  they  are  purchased  by  the  stage, 
omnibus,  hack,  and  livery  stable  owners  throughout 
the  country,  seems  to  us  the  highest  evidence  that  the 
Morgan’s  constitution  is  yet  sound,  and  his  powers  of 
endurance  still  equal  to  the  most  laborious  service. 
There  is  no  breed  of  horses  among  which  there  cannot 
be  found  unsound  individuals ; and  too  severe  work 
and  brutal  treatment  will  sometimes  bring  founder, 
ringbone  or  spavin,  broken  wind,  debility  and  disease, 
upon  the  finest  limbs  and  the  hardiest  constitution; 
but  we  believe  no  breed  of  horses  can  be  pointed  to  in 
this  country  more  generally  free  from  every  descrip- 
tion of  unsoundness  than  the  Morgan. 

Little  or  no  change  seems  to  have  taken  place  in  the 
head  and  neck.  The  same  light,  lean  head,  small, 
pointed,  and  sensitive  ears ; the  same  brilliant,  promi- 
nent, restless  eye,  seems  as  strongly  developed  now  as 
in  the  first  of  the  race ; while  the  neck,  rather  short,  is 
carried  in  the  same  proud  and  lofty  manner  that  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  all  who  ever  saw  the  Justin 
Morgan.  The  general  structure  of  the  body  is  un- 
changed. In  his  short,  bony  legs,  compact  body,  deep. 


HIS  PRESENT  CONDITION. 


181 


roomy  chest,  oblique  shoulders,  short  back,  and  mus- 
cular quarters,  he  still  exhibits  the  marked  features  of 
his  illustrious  ancestors. 

The  present  Morgans  have  not  so  much  of  the  long 
hair  of  the  Justin  Morgan  on  their  legs.  This  is  an 
improvement,  as  the  long  hair  on  the  legs  is  unsightly, 
inconvenient,  and  in  no  sense  useful. 

His  gait  or  natural  pace  seems  to  have  undergone 
little  change.  It  may  be  that  his  stride  is  a trifle 
longer,  and  it  is  our  belief  that  it  is;  but  of  this  it  is 
difficult  to  judge  correctly,  and  it  is  certainly  very 
doubtful. 

The  greatest  change  in  the  going  of  the  Morgans 
consists  in  this,  that  the  present  animals  of  the  breed 
are  faster  trotters  than  their  ancestors.  In  the  time  of 
the  Justin  Morgan,  trotting  was  not  much  practiced. 
Fast  trotting  dates  from  the  introduction  of  the  light 
buggy.  Since  that  time  the  horses  in  Vermont  have 
been  trained  to  that  gait  to  the  exclusion  of  almost  all 
other  paces.  The  art  of  training  the  horse  to  this  pace, 
and  developing  his  utmost  powers  in  it,  was  not  then 
understood.  But  we  do  not  think  the  most  consum- 
mate skill  in  training  of  the  Justin  Morgan  would 
have  enabled  him  to  compete  successfully  with  many 
of  his  descendants.  This  increased  speed  in  the  trot 
we  think  is  mainly  attributable  to  their  constant  train- 
ing to  this  pace  through  several  generations. 

That  the  training  and  using  animals  for  a particu- 
lar service  begets  in  them  a capacity  for  that  service, 
and  enables  them  to  excel  therein,  is  a truth  that  we 
think  is  generally  asserted  by  the  best  writers,  and  ad- 
mitted by  the  most  intelligent  breeders.  A remarka- 


182 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ble  illustration  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the  pointer,  which 
was  originally  bred  from  the  hound ; yet  how  widely 
different  have  their  very  instincts  become  by  being 
long  used  and  trained  to  entirely  different  kinds  of 
hunting.  Take  the  young  hound  for  the  first  time 
alone  into  the  field,  and  watch  his  unchecked,  and  un- 
guided movements ; he  ranges  about,  trotting  heedlessly 
over  the  partridge,  the  woodcock,  or  the  prairie  chicken ; 
even  the  whirr  of  the  rising  quail  fails  to  attract  his 
attention ; but  let  him  come  upon  the  fresh  track  of  a 
fox,  and  instantly  his  deep  startling  bay  naakes  every 
echo  ring,  and  wild  with  excitement  he  dashes  off  in 
eager  pursuit  of  an  animal  he  has  never  seen. 

Not  so  the  high  bred  young  pointer.  He  crosses 
the  path  of  the  fox  indifferent  to  the  steaming  scent, 
but  let  a breath  of  air  bring  to  him  the  odor  of  the 
unseen  partridge,  and  he  is  instantly  as  motionless  as 
if  cut  from  marble ; true,  he  has  not  yet  learned  the 
full  extent  of  his  duty,  but  how  strikingly  does  this 
action  exhibit  the  effect  of  training  and  using  for  a 
particular  service  for  many  generations.  If  this  were 
not  a general  law,  how  should  we  ever  succeed  in 
domesticating  animals  ? the  colt  foaled  to-day  would 
be  as  wild  and  untractable  as  his  untamed  ancestors 
a thousand  years  ago. 

It  can  hardly  be  questioned  that  a general  improve- 
ment has  been  steadily  going  on  in  the  character  of 
our  horses.  This  we  believe  to  be  in  a great  measure 
due  to  the  peculiar  fitness  of  our  soil  and  climate  for 
this  branch  of  agriculture,  but  our  breeders  have  of 
late  years  been  incited  to  endeavor  to  produce  the  best 
animals  by  the  profit  they  offered.  In  addition  to  the 


HIB  PKKSENT  CONDITION. 


183 


stimulus  given  to  breeders  to  produce  the  best  stock 
by  the  constantly  increasing  demand  for  it,  there  has 
arisen  within  the  last  few  years  a new  influence,  to  aid 
in  improving  the  character  of  our  horses.  We  allude 
to  the  agricultural  societies  that  have  been  formed  in 
almost  every  county  throughout  the  country.  At  the 
exhibitions  of  these  societies,  the  finest  animals  are 
brought  together,  and  farmers  and  breeders  are  thus 
enabled  to  compare  the  different  animals,  not  only  with 
one  another,  but  also  with  that  ideal  standard  of  excel- 
lence that  each  breeder  has,  or  ought  to  have  set  up,  of 
the  kind  of  animal  he  is  endeavoring  to  produce. 

At  these  fairs  the  young  and  inexperienced  breeder 
meets  many  who  have  devoted  years  of  close  attention 
to  the  business  in  which  he  is  just  engaging;  and  by 
conferring  with  them,  he  may  be  able  to  shun  their 
errors  and  take  advantage  of  their  success. 

From  able  speakers  he  hears  many  important  truths 
that  will  prove  of  inestimable  advantage  to  him,  pro- 
vided he  cherishes  them  as  he  ought.  The  old  adage 
that  “ competition  is  the  life  of  trade,”  is  as  applicable 
to  farming  as  to  any  other  kind  of  business ; and  the 
healthy  competition  that  these  fairs  or  exhibitions 
excite  among  breeders  is  of  great  advantage  to  them, 
by  stimulating  them  to  make  exertions  to  produce  the 
best  animals,  and  instructing  them  in  the  great  prin- 
ciples by  which  they  must  be  guided,  if  they  would 
deserve  success. 

The  beneficial  influence  of  these  exhibitions  can 
hardly  be  over-estimated ; and,  as  they  have  hitherto 
been,  so  will  they  continue  to  be,  powerful  engines  of 
good,  so  long  as  they  are  wisely  and  skilfully  conducted. 


184 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


These  are  some  of  the  principal  influences  that  are 
constantly  stimulating  Vermont  breeders  to  keep  up 
and  improve  the  well-earned  reputation  of  her  horses. 
The  materials  are  now  abundant ; and  if  by  association 
or  otherwise  they  can  be  retained  in  the  State,  and 
properly  bred,  there  can  be  little  question  that  Vermont 
can  for  years  to  come  furnish  her  sister  States  and  the 
great  markets,  with  the  best  business  horse  raised  in 
any  country  in  the  world. 


CHAPTEE  X. 


PERFORMAJ<rCES  OP  MORGAN  HORSES  — THE  DEMAND  FOR  THEM  AND 
THEIR  PRESENT  VALUE  AS  INDICATED  BY  SALES. 

The  question  lias  been  sometimes  asked,  “ Wbat 
have  Morgan  horses  ever  done  to  entitle  them  to  dis- 
tinction?^’ Coming  as  it  almost  invariably  does  from 
persons  interested  in  some  other  breed,  the  question 
implies  a disbelief  in  the  ability  of  Morgan  horses  to 
perform  any  feats  of  speed  or  endurance  worthy  of 
notice  ; and,  as  such  individuals  doubtless  deem  it  for 
their  interest  to  continue  in  their  present  faith,  we  shall 
make  no  effort  to  convince  them  of  their  error,  being 
satisfied  that  we  should  have  little  chance  of  success, 
opposing  as  we  should  both  their  interests  and  their 
prejudices. 

But  there  are  others  who  make  the  inquiry  from  a 
simple  desire  for  information,  in  relation  to  a breed  of 
horses  with  which  they  are  unacquainted,  and  we  trust 
that  to  such  the  facts  we  shall  state  in  this  chapter  will 
prove  a satisfactory  answer. 

Let  us  first  consider  what  are  the  qualities  for  which 
it  is  claimed  they  are  distinguished,  as  it  is  manifest 
the  performance  should  be  of  such  a nature  as  will  call 
into  exercise  these  qualities. 

The  Morgan  claims  to  be  chiefly  valuable  as  a driv- 
ing-horse with  moderate  weight,  or  in  other  words,  as 
a business  horse.  In  a previous  chapter,  we  have  stated 


186 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


the  principal  qualities  which  the  business  horse  should 
possess.  The  degree  in  which  a horse  possesses  these 
qualities  cannot  always  be  tested ; as,  for  instance,  we 
may  test  his  speed  or  his  endurance,  but  we  judge  of 
his  form,  his  style  of  movement,  his  spirit,  or  his  tem- 
per. Speed  and  endurance  are  indispensable ; a suit- 
able form,  a lively  spirit,  and  a tractable  temper,  are 
qualities  scarcely  less  important.  Possessed  of  the 
former,  he  has  the  power  to  perform  great  feats  upon 
the  road ; possessed  also  of  the  latter,  that  power  be- 
comes available,  and  can  be  applied  to  some  useful 
purpose.  The  speed  and  endurance  of  the  horse  can, 
of  course,  be  tested  by  driving  him  on  the  road,  or  the 
race-course;  the  former  can  be  determined  by  driv- 
ing a short  distance  ; the  latter,  by  driving  a long  time. 
We  know  it  is  very  commonly  said,  that  a horse  has 
a great  deal  of  bottom  or  endurance  which  can  keep 
up  a high  rate  of  speed  for  from  five  to  ten  minutes ; 
but  this  is  not  the  kind  of  endurance  we  are  speaking 
of.  The  endurance  wanted  in  the  driving-horse  must 
be  such  as  will  enable  him  to  last  throughout  the  day, 
and  from  day  to  day,  or  from  week  to  week.  Many 
horses  drive  well  and  with  much  spirit  for  a short  time, 
but  are  unable  to  endure  a single  day’s  drive;  and 
many  that  can  perform  a very  creditable  day’s  journey 
are  unable  to  last  through  a week  of  hard  work.  It  is 
to  such  horses  that  the  old  stable-saying  refers,  “ some 
horses  will  go  so  far  in  a day  that  they  can’t  get  back 
in  a week.”  Youatt  clearly  asserts  this  fact:  he  says, 
“ Many  horses  with  narrow  chests,  and  a great  deal  of 
daylight  under  them,  have  plenty  of  spirit  and  willing- 
ness for  work.  They  show  themselves  well  off,  and 


STYLE  OF  TRAVELLING. 


187 


exhibit  the  address  and  gratify  the  vanity  of  their 
riders  on  the  parade  or  in  the  park,  but  they  have  not 
the  appetite  nor  the  endurance  that  will  carry  them 
through  three  successive  hard  days’  work.” 

The  Morgan  horse  may  not  exhibit  the  greatest 
speed  for  a short  distance ; indeed,  we  do  not  think  his 
form  is  such  as  is  best  suited  to  such  extraordinary 
speed ; but  he  has  such  an  amount  of  speed  as  “ entitles 
him  to  the  appellation  of  a fast  traveller.”  We  do  not 
think  that  great  speed  and  great  endurance  are  usually 
found  combined  in  the  same  animal ; to  support  this 
opinion,  we  again  refer  to  Youatt,  who  says:  “Some 
of  our  saddle  horses  and  cobs  have  barrels  round 
enough,  and  we  value  them  on  account  of  it,  for  they 
are  always  in  condition,  and  they  rarely  tire.  But 
when  we  look  at  them  more  carefully,  there  is  just  that 
departure  from  the  circular  form — of  which  mention 
has  just  been  made — ^that  happy  medium  between  the 
circle  and  the  ellipse,  which  retains  the  capacity  of  the 
one  and  the  expansibility  of  the  other.  Such  a horse 
is  invaluable  for  common  purposes,  but  he  is  seldom  a 
horse  of  speed.  If  he  is  permitted  to  go  his  own  pace, 
and  that  not  a slow  one,  he  will  work  on  forever ; but 
if  too  much  hurried  he  is  soon  distressed.”  And  again 
he  says:  “The  question  then  is,  what  service  is  re- 
quired from  the  horse  ? If  he  has  to  carry  a heavy 
weight,  and  has  much  work  to  do,  he  should  be  ribbed 
home — the  last  rib  and  the  hip-bone  should  not  be 
far  from  each  other.  There  is  more  capacity  of  chest 
and  of  belly — there  is  less  distance  between  the  points 
of  support — and  greater  strength  and  endurance.  A 


188 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


hackney  (and  we  would  almost  say  a hunter)  can 
scarcely  be  too  well  ribbed  home. 

‘‘  If  speed,  however,  is  required,  there  must  be  room 
for  the  full  action  of  the  hinder  limbs ; and  this  can 
only  exist  where  there  is  sufficient  space  between  the 
last  rib  and  the  hip-bone.  The  owner  of  the  horse 
must  make  up  his  mind  as  to  what  he  wants  from  him, 
and  be  satisfied  if  he  obtains  that ; for  let  him  be  as- 
sured, that  he  cannot  have  everything,  for  this  would 
require  those  differences  of  conformation  that  cannot 
possibly  exist  in  the  same  animal.” 

To  the  practical  horseman,  the  simple  fact  that  an 
animal  has  trotted  a mile  in  2m.  80s,,  or  two  miles  in 
5m.  10s.,  will  afford  little  evidence  of  its  power  of  en- 
durance in  the  livery  stable,  before  a hack,  or  a Broad- 
way omnibus.  Occasionally  a long  race  is  trotted  that 
serves  to  test  the  endurance  of  the  horse,  but  these  are 
of  so  rare  occurrence  that  almost  the  only  recorded 
testimony  of  the  lastingness  of  the  Morgan  horse  is 
found  in  general  statements  of  the  fact,  rather  than  in 
recorded  instances  of  its  exhibition  by  individuals  of 
the  breed.  The  quotations  we  have  already  made  in 
a previous  chapter,  from  writers  of  unquestioned  au- 
thority, will,  we  think,  fully  establish , their  claim  to 
more  than  ordinary  powers  of  endurance. 

We  have  said  that  we  do  not  think  the  form  of  the 
Morgan  horse  is  such  as  is  best  adapted  for  the  greatest 
speed  at  short  distances ; still,  among  any  breed  of  horses 
sufficiently  fast  to  be  called  rapid  travellers,  individu- 
als will  occasionally  be  found  that  will  be  fast  for 
short  distances,  and  such  is  the  case  with  the  Morgans. 


FAST  TIME. 


189 


That  such  is  the  fact,  we  think  the  well-authenticated 
performances  we  shall  mention  will  abundantly  es- 
tablish. 

Before  speaking  of  these  performances,  a few  remarks 
seem  necessary,  in  order  that  the  relative  importance 
of  these  performances  may  be  understood. 

Quite  a diversity  of  opinion  exists  among  sporting 
men  as  to  what  rate  of  speed  for  a mile  entitles  a horse 
to  be  ranked  as  a sporting  horse ; this  must  necessarily 
be  the  case,  since  no  abstract  rule  can  be  laid  down. 
It  seems  to  us  that  a horse  must  be  admitted  to  be  a 
fast,  or  sporting  horse,  that  can  make  his  mile  in  less 
time  than  a majority  of  those  he  will  be  obliged  to 
contend  with  on  the  race-course.  To  enable  us  to  form 
some  idea  of  the  ordinary  or  average  speed  of  the  trot- 
ting horses  of  the  country,  we  have  made  a summary 
of  all  the  time,  at  mile  heats,  reported  in  the  “New 
York  Spirit  of  the  Times,”  for  the  year  1852 ; and  the 
average  time  made  by  winning  horses  at  mile  heats 
during  that  year  was  2m.  50s.  and  a small  fraction. 
Our  only  reason  for  selecting  that  year  was,  that  the 
volume  of  the  “ Spirit  of  the  Times”  published  that 
year  was  the  only  complete  one  which  we  had  at  hand. 
From  this  it  is  plain  that  a horse  which  could  trot  a 
mile  within  2m.  50s.  would  have  been  able  to  defeat  a 
large  majority  of  the  trotting  horses  of  the  country. 

We  are  aware  that  many  persons  affect  to  believe 
that  a trotter  is  no  sporting  horse  if  he  cannot  “ go  low 
down  in  the  thirties,”  but  it  is  plain  this  is  a mistake. 
The  horse  which  can  trot  a mile  in  2m.  40s.  in  good 
style,  we  feel  confident  will  prove  too  fast  for  three- 
quarters  of  the  trotting  horses  of  the  country. 


190 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


One  of  the  most  remarkable  trotting  horses  ever 
known,  and  without  any  question  the  fastest  horse  of 
her  time  at  long  distances,  was  “Fanny  Jenks,”  the 
property  of  Gen.  A.  T.  Dunham,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.  We 
are  unable  to  give  her  pedigree,  but  she  was  raised 
in  Vermont,  and  was  always  called  a Morgan;  and 
her  form  and  style  of  movement  exhibited  in  a high 
degree  the  characteristics  of  the  breed.  She  was  four- 
teen and  three-quarters  hands  high,  and  in  medium 
condition  weighed  nine  hundred  and  thirty-five  pounds. 
From  Vermont,  she  was  taken  to  Watertown,  Jefferson 
county,  N.  Y.,  and  became  the  property  of  Gen.  Pratt. 
In  the  year  1839  or  1840,  the  General  took  her  to 
Troy  and  sold  her  to  Willard  Jenks,  of  West  Troy, 
and  of  him  she  was  purchased  by  Gen.  A.  T.  Dunham. 
Her  first  important  performance  was  at  Centreville, 
L.  I.,  in  October,  1844,  when  she  trotted  ten  miles 
before  a sulky,  carrying  145  lbs.,  in  29m.  and  59s., 
beating  Neptune  and  Misfortune.  On  the  5th  of  May, 
1845,  in  a match  against  time  for  $500,  to  trot  one 
hundred  miles  in  ten  hours,  over  the  Bull’s  Head 
Course,  near  Albany,  N.  Y.,  she  performed  the  entire 
distance  in  9 hours  42  minutes  and  57  seconds.  Ex- 
clusive of  the  time  in  stopping  for  refreshment  (18m. 
27s.),  she  performed  the  distance  in  9h.  24m.  30s. 

Of  this  performance  an  article  in  the  “ Spirit  of  the 
Times,”  headed  “Fanny  Jenks  against  the  World,” 
says:  “Immediately  on  the  completion  of  the  match, 
and  without  stopping,  she  was  trotted  once  round  the 
course,  and  accomplished  her  101st  mile  in  4m.  23s. 
******* 

“ The  mare  showed  no  symptoms  of  distress  at  any 


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PERFORMANCES. 


191 


period  of  the  performance,  and  her  indomitable  game 
was  fully  evinced  by  her  speed  in  part  of  her  last  time, 
and  the  ravenous  manner  in  which  she  attacked  her 
hay  as  soon  as  led  to  the  stable. 

“ On  the  following  day  she  was  driven  twelve  miles 
(to  Albany  and  Troy),  exhibiting  no  soreness,  stiffness, 
nor  any  other  evidence  that  she  had  performed  her 
wonderful  feat  so  recently.” 

In  1842,  Black  Hawk  won  a match  of  $1,000  by 
trotting  five  miles  over  the  Cambridge  Park  Course  in 
sixteen  minutes.  In  1843,  October  3d,  he  won  a race 
of  two  mile  heats,  best  two  in  three,  beating  Jim  and 
Dying  Sergeant  with  ease  in  5m.  43s. — 5m.  48s. — 5m. 
47s.  Single  miles  he  made  at  different  times  in  2m. 
42  seconds. 

At  Boston,  Nov.  3d,  1853,  Black  Hawk  Maid  beat 
Blue  Morgan,  two  mile  heats,  best  two  in  three.  Time, 
5m.  23s. — 5m.  22s.  Black  Hawk  Maid  was  sired  by 
Black  Hawk. 

The  20th  of  September,  1847,  over  the  Union  Course, 
L.  I.,  Lady  Sutton  beat  Sal  and  Grey  Eagle,  two  mile 
heats,  best  two  in  three,  in  harness.  Time,  5 m.  17s. — 
5m.  21s.,  and  again  Sept.  27th,  of  same  year,  she  beat 
the  same  horses  same  distance.  Time,  5m.  22s. — 5m. 
28  seconds. 

4 The  19th  of  May,  1848,  a trot  came  off  over  the 
Union  Course,  L.  I.,  that  created  a good  deal  of  excite- 
ment, and  is  well  remembered  by  sportsmen  on  account 
of  the  celebrity  of  the  horses,  and  the  severity  of  the 
contest.  The  race  was  between  Lady  Sutton,  Lady 
Suffolk,  and  Lady  Moscow,  mile  heats  in  harness,  and 
was  won  by  Lady  Sutton  after  a long  and  close  struggle. 


192 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Time,  2m.  33s. — 2m.  33s. — 2m.  35s. — 2m.  37s. — 2m. 
38s. — 2m.  36s. 

Lady  Sutton  was  raised  in  Barre,  Vermont.  She 
was  sired  by  Morgan  Eagle,  a grandson  of  the  Justin 
Morgan.  The  dam  of  Lady  Sutton  was  called  a Mor- 
gan mare,  but  we  do  not  know  her  pedigree.  Lady 
S.  is  not  over  fourteen  hands  high,  has  a fine  figure, 
and  a nervous,  spirited  style  of  action,  with  plenty  of 
speed  and  endurance.  She  is  too  nervous  and  high- 
tempered  to  make  a sure  and  safe  trotting  horse,  and 
endure  quietly  and  patiently  all  the  accidents  and  mis- 
haps of  the  race-course. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  1843,  a fast  and  well-contested 
race  came  off  over  the  Beacon  Course,  New  Jersey, 
between  Beppo  and  Independence,  mile  heats,  best  three 
in  five,  and  was  won  by  Beppo.  Time,  2m.  32-^s. — 
2m.  Sl^s. — 2m.  33s. — 2m.  38s. — 2m.  35s.  Beppo  was 
sired  by  Gilford. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  1843,  a race  came  off 
over  the  Cambridge  Park  Course  between  Pizarro, 
Forest  Maid,  and  Lady  Swan,  mile  heats,  best  three  in 
five,  and  was  won  by  Pizarro  in  three  straight  heats. 
Time,  2m.  35s. — 2m.  39^s. — 2m.  37-|^s.  Pizarro  was 
sired  by  Morgan  Caesar. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  1853,  a race  took  place  on  the 
Hunting  Park  Course,  Philadelphia,  between  Vermont 
Boy  and  Soto,  three  mile  heats,  to  wagons,  best  two  in 
three,  won  by  Vermont  Boy.  Time  8m.  32s. — 8m.  47s. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1853,  a match  took  place  on 
Long  Island  between  Ethan  Allen,  three  years  and 
ten  months  old,  and  Eose  of  Washington,  several 
months  older  for  one  thousand  dollars  a side,  mile 


PERFORMANCES. 


193 


heats,  best  three  iu  five.  This  match  attracted  much 
attention.  Many  who  knew  the  mare  thought  she  was 
sure  to  win,  as  she  was  deemed  the  fastest  horse  of  her 
age  in  the  country ; but  the  event  proved  they  were 
mistaken,  as  the  horse  beat  her  in  three  straight  heats. 
Time,  2m.  42s. — 2m.  39s. — 2m.  86s. 

We  believe  this  is  the  fastest  time  on  record  by  a 
horse  of  his  age.  We  think  his  only  other  public  trot 
was  at  Boston,  Oct.  27th,  1855,  at  the  Fair  of  the  United 
States  Agricultural  Society,  where  he  received  the  first 
premium  for  speed,  beating  Columbus,  Sherman  Black 
Hawk,  and  Stockbridge  Chief.  Time,  2m.  34^s. — 2m. 
87s.  Ethan  Allen  was  sired  by  Black  Hawk,  and  is 
doubtless  the  fastest  trotting  stallion  that  has  ever 
appeared  on  the  turf. 

November  24th,  1853,  Blue  Morgan  won  a race 
over  the  Cambridge  Park  Course,  beating  Black  Haw^k 
Maid,  mile  heats  in  harness,  best  two  in  three.  Time 
2m.  38|s. — 2m.  33^s. 

August  20th,  1852,  Black  Ealph  won  a race  at  Sara- 
toga, beating  Murdoch,  mile  heats  under  the  saddle,  best 
three  in  five,  winning  the  1st,  3d  and  5th  heats.  Time 
2m.  32s. — 2m.  80s. — 2m.  31s. — 2m.  38s. — 2m.  34s. 

October  6th,  1852,  in  a race  between  Murdoch  and 
Black  Ealph,  two  mile  heats  under  the  saddle,  Ealph 
won  the  first  heat  in  5m.  13|s.,  though  beaten  by 
Murdoch  in  the  race.  Black  Ealph  was  sired  by 
Black  Hawk. 

October  14th,  1854,  Know-Nothing  won  a race 
over  the  Cambridge  Park  Course,  beating  Black  Hawk 
Maid,  two  mile  heats  in  harness.  Time  5m.  26s.  Mare 
drawn  after  the  first  heat. 

9 


194 


THE  MORGAISr  HORSE. 


In  a match,  between  Know-Nothing  and  Chicago 
Jack  over  the  Cambridge  Park  Course,  May  11th, 
1855,  mile  heats  under  the  saddle,  best  three  in  five, 
Know-Nothing  won  the  first  heat  2m.  27^s.,  but  was 
beaten  in  the  race  by  Chicago  Jack,  who  made  the 
third  heat  in  2m.  27|s.  Know-Nothing  was  sired  by 
Black  Hawk,  and  was  only  five  years  old ; his  dam 
is  said  to  have  been  sired  by  a grandson  of  Lee  Boo. 
Chicago  Jack  was  raised  in  Illinois,  and  we  think  was 
sired  by  Morgan  Emperor,  formerly  owned  by  L.  But- 
ler, of  Chicago,  Illinois. 

The  29th  of  July,  1856,  a race  took  place  over  the 
Fashion  Course,  Long  Island,  being  a match  between 
Know-Nothing  and  Flora  Temple,  mile  heats,  best 
three  in  five,  Know-Nothing  under  the  saddle  — Flora 
Temple  in  harness.  Though  matched  against  the 
fastest  trotting  horse  in  harness  ever  known,  the  friends 
of  Know-Nothing  felt  such  confidence  in  his  powders 
that  they  backed  him  freely,  offering  odds  that  were 
quickly  taken.  The  race  was  won  by  Know-Nothing, 
in  three  straight  heats.  Time  2m.  29s. — 2m.  29s. — 
2m.  80s. 

September  25th,  1855,  Belle  of  Saratoga  won  a match 
of  $500,  mile  heats,  best  three  in  five,  over  the  Centre- 
ville  Course,  beating  Murdoch  in  three  straight  heats. 
Time,  2m.  29  ts. — 2m.  34ts. — 2m.  88s.  Belle  of  Sara- 
toga was  sired  by  Black  Hawk. 

A race  on  the  ice  near  Plattsburg,  February  27th, 
1852,  mile  heats  in  harness,  best  three  in  five,  was 
won  by  Sherman  Black  Hawk,  in  three  straight  heats, 
beating  Flying  Morgan  and  a gray  gelding  from  Can- 
ton, N.  Y.  Time  2m.  47s. — 2m.  44s. — 2m.  42s. 


PERFORMANCKS. 


195 


In  March,  1850,  a race  on  the  ice,  mile  heats,  best 
two  in  three,  was  won  by  Flying  Morgan,  in  two 
straight  heats,  beating  Tramp.  Time  2m.  51s. — 2m. 
48s,  Flying  Morgan  Avas  sired  by  the  Haclcett  Horse. 

In  a race  over  Cambridge  Park  Course,  October  2d, 
1851,  mile  heats,  best  three  in  five,  between  Flying 
Morgan  and  Cleopatra,  the  former  was  victorious  in 
three  straight  heats.  Time  2m.  51s. — 2m.  51|s. — 2m. 
57s.  In  this  race  Flying  Morgan  was  called  Burling- 
ton, 

There  are  many  others  well  known  as  Morgan 
trotters  of  celebrity,  Avhich  we  have  not  space  to  notice, 
such  as  Henry  Clay,  sired  by  Gifford ; Grey  HaAvk,  of 
Chicago,  sired  by  Morgan  Tally  Oh ; Whalebone,  sired 
by  Whalebone  or  the  Clarke  Horse ; Lady  Sherman, 
sired  by  Black  Hawk,  &c.,  &c. ; there  are  also  others 
about  whose  pedigree  there  is  some  dispute,  but  Avhich 
are  claimed  as  of  Morgan  descent,  such  as  Mac,  Lady 
Fulton,  &c..  Mac  was  raised  in  Maine,  and  his  dam 
was  probablj^  a descendant  of  Messenger,  but  there  is 
little  doubt  that  he  was  sired  by  Morgan  Csesar,  one 
of  the  best  grandsons  of  the  Justin  Morgan. 

We  think  the  above  performances  fully  establish  the 
truth  of  our  proposition,  that  although  it  is  not  claimed 
their  form  and  gait  is  such  as  is  best  adapted  to  make 
the  quickest  time  for  a mile,  yet  the  Morgans  being  as 
a class  fast  travellers,  some  individuals  exhibit  gTeat 
speed. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  if  our  farmers  and  breeders 
would  take  pains  to  develop  the  utmost  power  of  their 
horses  in  the  trot,  very  many  would  exhibit  a good  deal 
of  speed.  But  no  such  effort  is  generally  made ; our 


196 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


people  are  not  a sporting  people.  There  is  not  a race 
course,  properly  speaking,  in  the  State.  True,  some  of 
the  Agricultural  Societies  have  graded  temporary  half- 
mile  tracks,  not  only  to  give  opportunity  to  test  the 
speed  of  horses,  but  to  exhibit  their  paces,  training, 
and  style  of  movement.  They  are  not  simply  race- 
courses, and  we  hope  that  while  the  property  of  these 
societies  they  may  never  become  such. 

We  have  no  objections  to  trotting  matches,  and  are 
willing  that  those  who  choose  should  engage  in  them. 
They  certainly  tend  to  develop  one  of  the  valuable 
qualities  of  the  horse,  and  we  cannot  object  if  the 
patrons  of  the  turf  offer  premiums  for  excellence  in 
that  one  quality  which  is  almost  the  only  one  by  them 
esteemed.  But  it  seems  to  us  eminently  improper  for 
Agricultural  Societies  to  offer  such  premiums  for  a 
single  good  trait  in  an  animal,  without  considering  the 
many  others  equally  important.  A good  form,  temper, 
action,  and  style  of  movement,  suitable  size,  speed, 
and  endurance,  are  each  valuable  qualities  in  the  busi- 
ness horse ; but  superlative  excellence  in  any  one  of 
them  alone,  ought  not  to  entitle  a horse  to  rank  above 
rivals  superior  to  him  in  all  other  respects.  Should 
any  Agricultural  Society  deem  it  advisable  for  farmers 
to  aim  to  produce  horses  whose  excellence  should  con- 
sist solely  in  their  speed,  they  might  consistently  offer 
such  premiums. 

It  is  a trite  saying  that  an  article  “is  worth  what  it 
will  bring  in  market.” 

Estimating  the  value  of  Morgan  horses  by  this 
standard,  we  shall  find  that  they  are  unequalled  by 
any  horses  in  this  country.  We  have  already  en- 


HIGH  PRICES  OF. 


197 


deavored  to  show  that  they  possessed  great  merit,  but 
great  merit  is  not  always  properly  appreciated;  hence 
the  inquiry,  “ will  they  command  such  prices  as  will 
remunerate  the  breeder  ?” 

That  they  do  command  not  only  remunerating,  but 
very  high  prices,  can  be  abundantly  shown ; indeed, 
those  least  friendly  to  the  Morgans  admit  that  they  are 
in  great  demand,  and  that  they  sell  for  high  prices. 
Instances  might  be  given  in  which  individuals  of  the 
breed  have  been  disposed  of  at  very  great  prices,  and 
indeed  they  might  be  multiplied  to  almost  any  extent, 
but  should  not  and  would  not  establish  the  general 
rule,  for  there  is  no  breed  of  horses  of  any  note,  indi- 
viduals of  which  are  not  sometimes  sold  for  high  prices. 

In  Mr.  Burnet’s  “ remarks  on  breeding  horses,”  to 
which  we  have  before  referred,  although  he  does  not 
admire  the  Morgans,  yet  he  admits  that  “they  sell 
readily  at  high  prices.” 

The  editor  of  the  “ Country  Gentleman,”  in  an 
article  giving  an  account  of  the  National  Exhibition 
of  horses  at  Springfield,  in  1853,  says,  in  reference  to 
the  Morgan  horses  of  Vermont,  “It  was  seen  by  the 
originator  of  the  movement,  and  by  those  who  sympa- 
thized with  him,  that  New  England  and  the  country 
generally  were  indebted  to  a single  State  for  the  most 
of  their  desirable  and  valuable  horses. 

“ It  was  seen  that  single  breeding  animals  had  been 
the  source  of  almost  millions  of  revenue  to  the  breed- 
ers of  their  respective  localities,  and  that  in  a majority 
of  the  States  of  the  Union  it  was  almost  impossible  to 
find  a horse  bred  at  home  that  was  of  high  value.” 

The  “ Maine  Farmer,”  in  an  article  before  quoted. 


198 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


says,  ‘‘For  a seller  of  horses,  it  is  only  necessary  for 
him  to  establish  the  fact  that  his  horses  are  of  the  Mor- 
gan blood,  and  he  meets  with  a ready  sale  at  good 
prices,  and  the  purchasers  are  more  than  satisfied.” 

Mr.  H.  S.  Eandall,  in  his  account  of  the  breeds  of 
horses  in  the  United  States,  says,  “ That  they  have 
sold  for  high  prices,  not  only  for  the  saddle  and  buggy, 
but  as  stallions  to  extend  the  breed,  is  certain.  They 
have  many  warm  admirers,  and  find  ready  purchasers.” 

Almost  any  number  of  similar  extracts  might  be 
added,  but  the  foregoing  seem  sufficient,  especially  as 
we  have  never  seen  it  denied  that  they  sell  readily  at 
prices  amply  * remunerating.  It  is  evident  that  this 
must  be  the  case,  Avhen  we  consider  that  they  are  not 
bred  in  any  numbers  save  in  a small  district  of  coun- 
try, and  that  the  demand  for  them  comes  from  every 
State  in  the  Union  ; many  being  yearly  taken  to  all 
parts  of  New  England,  and  to  the  West  and  South. 

The  prices  at  which  they  have  been  sold  have  been 
constantly  increasing  since  the  death  of  the  Justin 
Morgan.  One  of  the  colts  of  the  Justin  Morgan 
(Woodbury)  was  sold  when  about  ten  years  old  to  Mr. 
William  Walker,  of  Hartland,  Yt.,  for  five  hundred 
dollars,  which  Avas  at  that  time  considered  a most  ex- 
travagant price ; but  if  the  same  horse  was  now  living, 
he  would  command  more  than  ten  times  that  sum. 
Ordinary  stallions  could  be  purchased  at  that  time  for 
from  one  to  two  hundred  dollars. 

The  more  widely  and  thoroughly  they  are  known, 
the  greater  has  been  the  demand  for  them.  Fifteen 
years  ago  the  best  stallions  could  be  procured  for  from 
five  to  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  the  best  geldings  for 


HIGH  PRICES  OF. 


199 


from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
and  the  best  mares  at  from  one  to  two  hundred.  Now 
the  best  stallions  cannot  be  procured  for  less  than  from 
one  to  three  thousand  dollars ; the  best  geldings  sell 
readily  at  from  two  to  four  hundred  dollars,  and  the 
best  mares  at  from  three  to  six  hundred.  Horses  pos- 
sessing extra  value  on  account  of  their  speed,  are  not 
included  in  the  foregoing  statement,  as  for  such  very 
much  larger  prices  are  often  paid.  We  know  that 
some  will  say  our  prices  are  too  low,  and  point  us  to 
very  many  sales  at  much  higher  prices,  of  animals 
having  no  reputation  for  great  speed,  but  we  tliink 
that  although  there  may  be  many  such  instances,  they 
are  the  exceptions  to  the  general  rule,  rather  than  the 
rule  itself.  Again  we  may  be  told  that  our  minimum 
prices  are  too  high,  and  instances  adduced  of  animals 
of  good  blood  and  form  that  have  been  purchased  for 
less.  AVe  know  that  under  favorable  circumstances 
such  animals  may  occasionally  be  purchased  by  per- 
sons well  acquainted  throughout  the  State,  and  con- 
stantly on  the  watch  for  favorable  opportunities,  at 
prices  somewhat  less  than  those  we  have  named. 
Yet,  as  a general  thing,  when  the  price  is  much  below 
what  we  have  stated,  we  should  be  suspicious  that  the 
blood  or  form  was  not  of  the  first  quality. 


CHAPTER  XL 


HINTS  AS  TO  THE  BEST  METHODS  FOR  IMPROVING  AND  PERPETU- 
ATING THE  BREED. 

The  proposition  that  “like  will  beget  like”  is  gene- 
rally received  as  an  axiom  by  intelligent  breeders  of 
domestic  animals.  Although  as  a general  proposition 
this  is  doubtless  true,  yet  we  should  make  a great  mis- 
take to  expect  that  a male  and  female  unlike  each 
other  would  produce  offspring  like  either.  Before  the 
proposition  will  hold  true,  the  sire  and  the  dam  must 
be  like  each  other.  Even  this  is  not  sufficient ; the 
progenitors  of  each  must  have  been  alike  for  some 
generations. 

The  most  careless  breeder  can  hardly  fail  to  observe 
qualities  appearing  in  his  stock,  that  belonged  neither 
to  their  sire  nor  dam,  but  which  belonged  to  some  of 
their  ancestors  farther  back ; such,  for  instance,  as  a 
vicious  temper,  .some  striking  peculiarity  of  form  or 
color,  or  some  peculiar  mark,  such  as  a white  face, 
white  feet,  &c.  The  chances  that  the  good,  and  the 
danger  that  the  bad  qualities  of  an  ancestor,  will  be 
inherited  by  any  animal,  will  depend  upon  the  number 
of  degrees  he  is  removed  from  that  ancestor,  unless  his 
ancestors  of  the  opposite  sex  have  exhibited  the  same 
qualities,  and  have  exhibited  them  in  each  generation. 

(900) 


IMPROVING  Tin:  BREED. 


201 


When  the  ancestors  upon  both  sides  for  some  gene- 
rations have  been  alike  in  all  their  important  features, 
then  ‘‘like  will  beget  like.”  Not  that  the  animals 
bred  will  be  alike  even  then  ; they  will  only  be  alike  in 
the  prominent  characteristics  of  the  race.  There  will 
still  be  every  degree  of  excellence.  Some  will  be  less 
perfect  in  form  than  others,*  and  some  with  forms 
nearly  faultless,  will  yet  lack  some  essential  requisite 
to  give  them  the  highest  value.  This  is  strikingly 
exemplified  in  the  breeding  of  the  race-horse.  Immense 
fortunes  have  been  expended,  and  time  and  talents 
freely  given  for  the  improvement  of  those  qualities 
that  render  him  valuable  for  the  service  to  which  he 
is  put,  yet  comparatively  very  few  of  them  prove  ex- 
cellent in  the  very  points  to  which  the  attention  of  the 
breeder  was  particularly  directed.  Now,  if  we  were  to 
breed  from  the  poorest  instead  of  the  best  specimens 
of  the  race-horse,  it  is  evident  that  he  would  very 
rapidly  deteriorate  in  all  those  qualities  that  now  ren- 
der him  valuable,  and  the  extraordinary  speed  he  has 
attained  would  soon  be  lost.  The  manner  in  which 
they  have  attained  their  unrivalled  speed  is  by  breed- 
ing those  stallions  exhibiting  in  the  highest  perfection 
the  qualities  sought,  to  mares  possessing  in  a high 
degree  the  same  characteristics. 

This  points  out  not  only  the  best  method  for  per- 
petuating the  qualities  of  a breed  of  animals  whose 
characteristics -.have  become  fixed,  but  it  also  points 
out  the  proper  method  of  improving  them.  The  Mor- 
gan horse  has  not  yet  fully  attained  to  this  point ; that 
is,  his  characteristics  have  not  yet  been  fully  and  firmly 
established.  If  the  breed  is  perpetuated,  it  is  evi- 

9# 


202 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


dent  it  can  never  be  by  tbe  use  of  Morgan  stallions 
alone. 

Mares  of  Morgan  get  must  be  selected,  and  the 
more  crosses  of  Morgan  blood  in  the  dam  the  better ; 
•and  those  should  be  chosen  which  are  fully  up  to  the 
average  size  of  the  race,  and  exhibit  in  a high  degree 
the  peculiar  characteristics  of  the  breed  to  which 
they  belong.  It  will,  however,  be  no  objection  to  the 
mare  if  she  be  not  quite  as  well  “ ribbed  up”  as  the  sire, 
and  she  may  be  a little  longer  bodied  ; many  breeders 
would  prefer  that  she  should  differ  from  the  sire  in 
these  respects  ; but  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  ex- 
treme length  of  body,  combined  (as  it  usually  is)  with 
flat  sides  and  narrow  loins,  is  a far  from  desirable 
figure. 

Youatt  says,  ‘‘  It  may  perhaps  be  justly  affirmed 
that  there  is  more  difficulty  in  selecting  a good  mare 
to  breed  from  than  a good  horse,  because  she  should 
possess  somewhat  opposite  qualities.  Her  carcase 
should  be  long,  in  order  to  give  room  for  the  growth 
of  the  foetus  ; and  yet  with  this  there  should  be  com- 
pactness of  form  and  shortness  of  leg.”  The  Mor- 
gan mare  should  have  a clean,  light  head,  spirited,  but 
mild,  pleasant  eyes,  set  wide  apart ; but  above  all  other 
qualities  she  should  possess  a sound,  hearty  and  iron 
constitution,  with  abundance  of  nervous  energy.  The 
stallion  should  be  selected  partly  with  reference  to  the 
form  and  characteristics  of  the  mare,  and  he  should 
possess  in  a high  degree  those  good  qualities  in  which 
the  mare  is  most  deficient.  In  all  cases  he  should  be 
compact  and  possessed  of  a vigorous  constitution,  have 
a bold,  resolute  style  of  action,  high  spirit,  and  a great 


mi: 


MMi 


t<j  '**' 


/j.-t  •‘.V’ 


J!|(| ‘ *'I  . l)vU  r ? 

;»  1.^  - t-  :' ••?  t. 

S|i#^ /II. ^^--v, ; ■ 

rtt^>orUr<i  li.?  ■ ■••  ■ ■■-*'  '*'  " " ,'  ■■'*  ' <(  ■■■>■«*'.■  ■ 

v<i.j  ?'i  . -• ' : v7  r '^ -'  ' u.- 


i^  4hdW  ■'  ’'^  4. 


4j^j¥l£bj^ 


ii-  IHNViiMtVi  IUJM018. 


VO- 


'■v-w  - ----M  .H;-?’  ’'^i>4:-  -V*  ■■  " ■' 

- i • HutfilWlf  ►isir  -U  f T*t  Ji  ’-  V ' 

4!m^-^^■): &x* * i*d  i ^ ^ 

, l tii r- . ■ 

iisi^>it»!r« {•.  luti'Wr-^  v/  * 

-^.a-r  - i^/TT: jrrir >: ;'|  =H  -Mrt  t'  »rr  •■>.-•  ;ir 

9(ij*-.«|* »eSTi:7-‘-^^i’t 1 1#4^  ■ r lyi  ?.»>»if  :'■*■'  :V*'-U-3  • 

.,,fefcn/^-  ^r';;;;r  -^7  - >’if , ^^rr; ; 

iSfruC-..-'.,.;-'  r-.jrar-  •■'  '■  - ■■  ’5f^-  ' 


PRINCE  ALBERT 


IMPROVING  Tki:  BREED. 


203 


deal  of  that  nervous  or  vital  energy,  which  gives  life, 
vigor,  and  endurance  to  the  whole. 

There  are  two  errors  very  commonly  committed  by 
persons  selecting  animals  from  which  to  breed.  Some 
pay  too  much  attention  to  pedigree  and  too  little  to 
form  ; while  others  err  in  the  opposite  direction.  The 
one  will  select  the  animal  with  the  longest  pedigree, 
whatever  be  his  form,  while  the  other  sajs,  I don’t  care 
about  your  pedigree,  but  show  me  your  horse.”  The 
latter  is  of  the  tAvo,  the  least  objectionable,  for  the 
stock  will  be  far  more  likely  to  inherit  the  qualities  of 
an  immediate,  than  those  of  a remote  ancestor.  Hence 
it  is  that  persons  having  fine  animals,  jiossessed  of  ex- 
tremely short  pedigrees,  are  fond  of  displaying  in 
glaring  capitals  that  trite  old  saying,  blood  is  bloody 
hut  form  is  superiority y 

The  meaning  of  this,  although  a little  obscure,  we 
think  is,  that  blood  is  a very  excellent  thing ; but  that 
when  the  form  and  general  characteristics  are  of  the 
highest  order,  they  are  more  important  than  any  pedi- 
gree. Many  persons,  however,  seem  to  understand 
this  very  differently,  and  think  it  asserts  that  though 
blood  is  a very  good  thing,  yet  when  an  animal  can 
be  found  of  almost  faultless  form  and  possessing  qual- 
ities of  the  highest  order,  it  is  of  no  consequence  what 
is  his  blood. 

The  truth  is,  that  though  form  and  character  are 
of  primary  importance,  the  blood  should  never  be 
neglected.  This  is  true  when  the  breeder  intends 
his  stock  for  the  great  markets  of  the  country ; but 
when  he  intends  to  breed  a stock  for  his  farm  for 
the  purpose  of  again  breeding  from  them,  the  blood 


204 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


of  the  animal  becomes  vastly  more  important ; and 
he  who  breeds  from  animals  whose  immediate  ances- 
tors were  of  unknown  descent,  will  be  pretty  sure  to 
repent  of  his  error. 

Another  common  error  is,  to  search  eagerly  for  animals 
to  breed  from,  that  have  become  noted  for  their  speed. 
Many  persons  can  be  found  who  will  pick  up  some 
long-legged,  rangy,  broken-down  trotting  mare,  which 
})erhaps  could  trot  a mile  in  2.30,  and  think  by  breed- 
ing her  to  a Morgan  stallion,  something  very  fine  may 
be  expected.  Nothing  can  be  more  ill-judged  than 
such  a course ; and  in  a large  majority  of  cases  it  is 
sure  to  end  in  disappointment  and  loss.  Occasionally, 
(and  it  must  be  remembered  it  is  only  occasionally,)  the 
progeny  of  such  an  animal  may  exhibit  great  speed ; 
but  the  great  proportion  of  them  will  be  found  to 
have  inherited  her  form  but  not  her  speed,  and  hence 
are  of  small  value. 

The  only  course  to  pursue  to  keep  up  the  Morgan 
breed,  is  for  breeders  to  retain  their  best  mares  for 
the  purpose  of  breeding.  This  matter  cannot  be  too 
strongly  impressed  upon  farmers,  and  all  who  are  in- 
terested in  the  subject.  There  is  another  danger  that 
breeders  must  guard  well  against.  The  high  prices 
that  Southern  and  Western  buyers  are  offering  for  the 
best  stallions,  is  draining  the  home  region  rapidly.  If 
the  best  are  sold,  and  only  the  indifferent  retained,  it 
is  easy  to  see  that  some  other  part  of  the  country,  with 
enterprise  enough  to  buy  your  best  animals,  will  raise 
better  Morgan  horses  than  you  can,  as  they  will  have 
better  stock.  No  country  can  long  retain  a superior 
race  of  animals,  who  sell  all  the  best  of  the  growth  and 


IMPROVING  THE  BREED. 


205 


increase.  This  is  so  obvious  that  no  argument  or  dis- 
cussion is  required  to  show  its  truth.  Some  breeders 
are  already  aware  of  this  danger,  and  will  no  doubt  use 
their  influence  to  prevent  it.  W e know  of  some  choice 
animals  that  have  been  held,  notwithstanding  the  most 
tempting  offers  from  abroad. 

As  the  most  spirited  breeders  are  now  making  great 
profit  by  breeding  from  first-rate  animals,  their  ex- 
ample will  produce  more  effect  than  anything  which 
can  be  written  on  the  subject.  We  know  of  some 
Morgan  mares  which  have  been  put  to  breeding  that 
are  valued  at  a thousand  dollars. 

The  English  have  paid  more  attention  to  breeding, 
and  with  more  success,  than  almost  any  other  people 
Their  abundant  capital,  paid  freely  for  choice  animals 
to  breed  from,  shows  us  the  means  which  they  have 
used.  As  many  of  the  landholders  in  England  are 
persons  of  gTeat  wealth,  they  have  not  been  deterred 
by  high  prices  from  obtaining  the  finest  animals.  Their 
example  is  worthy  our  most  careful  consideration ; for 
they  have  had  great  experience,  and  the  best  talent  of 
the  country  has  been  called  to  their  aid.  There  arc 
some  breeders  of  Morgan  horses  who,  although  they 
will  not  breed  from  animals  decidedly  inferior  in  form, 
merely  because  they  may  happen  to  bo  fast,  are  yet 
inclined  to  lay  too  much  stress  upon  great  speed — a 
good  quality,  but  one  which  we  think  is  often  pur- 
chased at  the  expense  of  qualities  even  more  valu- 
able. 

If  animals  are  selected  for  breeding  which  can  make 
the  best  time  for  a mile,  we  think  the  tendency  will  be 
to  depreciate  the  value  of  the  breed.  Bred  for  that  one 


203 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


purpose,  they  will  lose  some  of  their  compactness,  be- 
come more  leggy  and  rangy,”  and  lack  the  stamina 
of  the  true  Morgan.  The  general  business  qualities  of 
the  Morgan  are  what  give  him  his  great  value.  Ilis 
admirable  travelling  gait,  and  his  stoutness,  courage, 
and  endurance,  are  what  is  wanted  for  the  road.  It  is 
not  wise,  therefore,  to  attempt  to  make  him  the  fastest 
horse  in  the  world,  for  in  doing  this  we  shall  be  very 
likely  to  lose  sight  of  qualities  far  more  important  than 
the  ability  to  trot  a mile  in  2m.  30s. 

Let  those  breeders  who  manifest  so  much  anxiety  to 
produce  a horse  that  can  trot  his  mile  ‘4n  the  thirties” 
consider  for  a moment  what  would  be  the  result,  could 
they  realize  their  utmost  expectations;  (and,  if  their  ex 
pectations  are  not  to  be  realized,  it  is  foolish  to  entertain 
them.)  The  horse  that  can  now  trot  his  mile  in  2m. 
30s.,  does  he  command  a great  price  because  that  speed 
is  available  for  any  practical  and  ordinary  business 
purpose?  By  no  means.  It  is  because  he  can  out-foot 
nine-tenths  of  the  sporting  horses  of  the  country.  It 
is  because  his  speed  is  relatively  great,  that  his  value  is 
great,  and  just  in  the  proportion  that  breeders  could 
produce  such  animals  w’'Ould  their  value  be  decreased. 
This  alone  should  cause  the  prudent  breeder  to  look 
first  for  those  qualities  that  wdll  render  the  horse  val- 
uable for  all  ordinary  business  purposes. 

No  person  who  has  given  the  subject  any  attention, 
but  must  be  fully  convinced  that  too  little  pains  and 
care  have  been  taken  in  breeding  these  horses.  The 
value  of  Morgan  horses  was  not  at  first  justly  appreci- 
ated by  our  own  people.  Travellers  through  the  State 
had  observed  their  fine  points,  and  had  noticed  their 


IMPROVING  TllK  BREED. 


20T 


great  power  of  carrying  weight  in  the  stage-coaches, 
and  their  extreme  hardiness  of  constitution  in  a great 
variety  of  situations.  A few  of  the  shrewdest  horse- 
men saw  that  they  were  destined  to  be  in  great  de- 
mand whenever  they  became  fully  known ; and  these 
few  took  pains  to  secure  some  good  stock  for  the  pur- 
pose of  breeding.  In  that  part  of  the  State  where  they 
were  first  bred  they  became  quite  numerous  before 
much  demand  for  them  sprung  up.  The  farmers  did 
not  dream  that  the  supply  was  exhaustible,  and  little 
attention  was  at  that  time  paid  to  breeding  horses,  as 
they  were  very  low,  and  farmers  generally  considered 
it  unprofitable.  In  this  State,  when  the  dealer  in 
horses,  or  a stranger,  offered  the  farmer  at  first  $100 
or  $125,  and  at  a later  period  $150  and  $200  for 
a fine  mare,  he  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to 
sell  her ; and  he  would  supply  her  place  with  an  ani- 
mal of  far  less  size,  and  worth  perhaps  less  than  half 
the  money  he  had  received  for  the  one  he  sold.  The 
legitimate  fruit  of  such  a course  was  the  decrease  in 
size  and  value  of  the  animals  raised;  and  had  this 
ruinous  system  been  generally  pursued  and  continued, 
the  valuable  qualities  of  the  breed  would  have  soon 
been  lost.  These  remarks,  however,  are  chiefly  appli- 
cable to  that  portion  of  the  States  of  Vermont  and 
New  Hampshire  lying  between  Newbury  and  Lan- 
caster on  Connecticut  river.  The  reason  for  this  must 
be  found  in  the  fact  that  here  the  horses  were  first  bred, 
and  from  their  greater  number  were  here  most  easily 
obtained : consequently,  buyers  from  abroad  rarely  vis- 
ited any  other  part  of  the  State,  and  thus  farmers  of 
the  other  sections  were  not  so  often  tempted  by  liberal 


208 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


offers  to  part  with  their  best  mares.  Though  these 
remarks  are  particularly  applicable  to  that  part  of  the 
country  referred  to,  yet  to  a certain  extent  they  might 
v^ell  apply  to  every  town.  As  an  illustration  of  the 
effect  of  this  carelessness  on  the  part  of  breeders  in 
relation  to  the  quality  of  their  mares,  we  would  point 
to  the  very  evident  difference  in  the  size  of  the  stock 
descended  from  the  Sherman  raised  in  the  vicinity  of 
Sutton,  Burke,  Danville,  Lyndon,  St.  Johnsbury,  &c., 
and  that  descended  from  him,  but  raised  in  the  north 
part  of  the  State,  and  in  Canada,  about  Derby  and  Stan- 
stead,  the  former  coming  directly  from  the  Billy  Boot, 
and  the  latter  from  the  Royal  Morgan. 

These  horses  possessed  exactly  the  same  amount 
of  the  blood  of  the  Justin  Morgan,  the  dams  of  both 
being  sired  by  the  Justin  Morgan,  and  themselves  both 
sons  of  the  Sherman.  Their  dams  also  were  nearly  of 
equal  size.  These  horses  bore  a close  resemblance  to 
one  another  in  many  important  points,  were  nearly  of 
the  same  size  and  height,  amount  of  bone,  general  form, 
and  both  possessed  extraordinary  courage  and  action. 
They  have  both,  also,  attained  great  and  nearly  equal 
celebrity.  Under  such  circumstances,  from  the  same 
description  of  dams,  we  should  expect  stock  of  a very 
similar  character,  and  equal  in  most  respects.  In  life, 
spirit,  and  action,  there  is  perhaps  but  little  if  any 
difference,  the  descendants  of  both  being  widely  and 
justly  celebrated  for  these  qualities,  but  in  size  there  is 
a very  perceptible  difference.  The  stock  descended 
from  the  Royal  Morgan,  and  raised  about  Derby  and 
Stanstead,  averaging  decidedly  larger  than  that  raised 
in  the  other  towns  mentioned,  and  descended  from  the 


IMPROVING  THE  BREED. 


209 


Root  horse.  Dei’by  and  Stanstead  are  much  farther 
removed  from  the  markets  where  Morgan  horses  have 
been  sought,  and  the  mares  from  which  the  farmers 
have  bred  have  been  much  larger. 

Though  breeders  were  generally  unmindful  of  the 
qualities  of  their  breeding  mares,  yet  there  were 
many  scattered  throughout  the  State  who  foresaw 
that  these  horses  would  be  sought  for,  and  early 
turned  their  attention  to  keeping  up  the  qualities 
for  which  they  were  so  remarkable,  if  not  improv- 
ing them  by  judicious  crossing  with  the  best  mares 
the  country  could  produce.  Some  commenced  pay- 
ing attention  to  this  matter  during  the  lifetime  of 
the  Justin  Morgan,  and  bred  directly  from  him.  A 
constantly-growing  attention  to  this  subject  has  been 
manifest  from  the  death  of  the  Justin  Morgan  to  the 
present  time,  though  the  great  mass  of  the  farmers  of 
the  State  are  yet  most  culpably  negligent  in  regard  to 
the  blood  of  the  stock  they  breed  from. 

It  is  to  these  comparatively  few  persons,  Avho  early 
gave  their  attention  to  this  subject,  that  much  of  the 
reputation  and  present  excellence  of  the  race  must  be 
attributed.  With  regard  to  the  proper  means  to  be 
adopted  to  improve  these  horses,  little  has  been  said 
by  those  who  have  written  upon  it  that  we  think  will 
be  of  great  service  to  the  breeder.  The  subject  is  a 
difficult  one ; and,  although  it  is  very  easy  to  exhort 
farmers  to  take  more  pains  in  selecting  their  breeding 
animals,  and  endeavor  to  “ imjprove^'^  the  general  char- 
acter of  their  stock,  yet  it  is  very  far  from  an  easy 
task  to  indicate  the  precise  points  in  which  any  im- 
provement is  needed,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  to 


210 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


be  accomplislied ; and  it  is  far  better  to  continue  breed* 
ing  entirely  within  themselves,  a stock  of  horses  that 
have  proved  themselves  valuable,  than  to  cross  them 
with  animals  of  a different  character  with  the  hope  of 
improving  them,  without  any  definite  idea  as  to  the 
nature  of  the  improvement  we  propose  to  make. 

Although  we  never  saw  a horse  that  came  up  fully  in 
every  particular  to  our  ideal  standard  of  perfection,  yet 
we  have  seen  many  Morgan  horses'  that  approached  it 
so  nearly  that  we  should  have  little  thought  of  attempt- 
ing to  improve  them.  Therefore,  let  the  first  efforts  of 
breeders  be  directed  to  the  preservation  of  the  good 
qualities  already  obtained,  by  taking  great  pains  to 
breed  from  animals,  both  sires  and  dams,  possessing  as 
fully  as  possible  the  prominent  characteristics  that  have 
distinguished  the  race,  and  whose  pedigrees  trace  back 
through  the  best  animals  of  the  Morgan  breed.  Pur- 
suing such  a course,  the  breeder  can  rely  upon  reaping 
an  ample  reward  for  his  efforts  in  the  ready  sale  his 
stock  will  meet  with  at  remunerating  prices;  and  he 
will  not  subject  himself  to  the  mortification  of  disco v- 
' ering,  when  too  late,  that  crossing  his  animals  with 
strange  breeds,  with  the  view  to  improvement,  has 
resulted  in  a progeny  decidedly  inferior  to  either  branch 
of  the  parent  stock. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  we  are  averse  to,  or  dis- 
posed to  discourage,  any  attempts  at  improvement ; on 
the  contrary,  we  would  stop  at  nothing  short  of  perfec- 
tion — ^but,  as  we  approach  that  ideal  standard,  the  diffi- 
culty of  advancing  is  increased ; and  the  greater  pains 
should  be  taken  to  secure  the  progress  already  made. 
The  improvement  of  animals  that  closely  approach  per- 


IMPROVING  THE  BREED. 


211 


fection,  should  be  attempted  with  the  greatest  care, 
and  by  persons  possessed  of  a thorough  knowledge  of 
the  physical  laws  that  will  control  the  result ; and  such 
alteration  must  be  undertaken  for  the  correction  of  a 
fault,  or  increased  excellence  in  some  definite  and 
clearly-understood  point ; otherwise  such  experiments 
will  resemble  a lottery,  in  which,  though  there  are 
splendid  prizes,  yet  there  is  also  a most  discouraging 
array  of  blanks. 

Vermont  breeders  have  been  so  often  advised  by 
persons  from  abroad  to  make  every  exertion  to  increase 
the  size  of  their  horses,  that,  contrary  to  their  own  judg- 
ment, they  have  been  led  to  make  some  efforts  to  pro- 
duce such  a change ; but,  so  far  as  we  have  had  oppor- 
tunity to  observe,  much  increase  in  size  has  almost 
invariably  been  obtained  by  a large  admixture  of  other 
blood,  and  at  the  expense  of  qualities  we  deem  of  the 
utmost  importance,  namely,  compactness,  action,  and 
spirit.  The  word  ‘^size,’’  as  applied  to  horses,  has  a 
very  different  meaning  at  the  South  and  in  New  Eng- 
land. At  the  South  the  most  valuable  horses  are  from 
racing  or  thorough  - bred  stock.  As  races  are  now 
generally  for  short  distances,  height  and  length  are  of 
great  importance,  as  enabling  the  animal  to  take  a long 
stride.  Consequently,  height  has  there  come  to  be  the 
measure  of  size.  Thus  you  ask  a person  how  large 
is  his  horse,  and  you  are  told  “he  is  a large  horse, 
as  much  as  seventeen  hands  high,”  or,  “ he  is  a small 
horse,  not  more  than  fourteen  hands  high.”  Few  horse- 
men at  the  South  take  any  pains  to  ascertain  the  weight 
of  their  horses,  that  being  considered  of  little  import- 
ance.' Inquire  of  a Vermonter  how  large  is  his  horse, 


212 


THE  MORGAN  HORSK. 


and  he  replies,  “he  is  a large  horse — he  will  weigh 
1200  lbs.,”  or,  “he  is  a small  horse,  and  won’t  weigh 
more  than  900  lbs.”  This  should  not  be  forgotten,  as 
many  persons  who  have  advised  an  effort  to  increase  the 
size,  intend  the  word  to  apply  only  to  the  height. 

We  think  a slight  increase  in  height  would  be  ad- 
visable; but  there  is  great  danger  of  running  into 
the  opposite  extreme,  and  certainly  for  service  and 
endurance,  too  much  height  is  a serious  objection. 
Youatt  says  the  breeding  mare  should  have  “ compact- 
ness of  form,  and  shortness  of  leg.”  That  shortness 
of  limb  with  compactness  of  form  are  indispensable  to 
great  endurance,  is  too  well  known  and  too  generally 
admitted  by  horsemen  to  need  any  argument.  It  may 
be  true  that  height  is  necessary  to  give  the  greatest 
speed,  but  of  what  practical  advantage  will  be  such 
speed  without  corresponding  powers  cf  endurance. 
All  experience  shows  that  the  horse  of  medium  size  is 
far  the  most  capable  of  performing  great  feats  upon 
either  the  turf  or  road  in  carrying  weight  at  long  dis- 
tances. The  Arabian,  universally  admitted  to  possess 
astonishing  powers  of  endurance  under  light  weight  at 
high  speed,  is  rarely  fifteen  hands  high.  Of  those 
horses  that  have  distinguished  themselves  as  trotters, 
a very  large  majority  of  them  have  been  under  15^} 
hands,  some  of  the  most  remarkable  of  them  being 
under  15.  “Fanny  Jenks,”  who  trotted  one  hundred 
miles  in  nine  hours  forty-two  minutes,  was  only  14 1 
hands  high,  and  weighed  only  935  pounds.  Tom 
Thumb,  who  performed  one  hundred  miles  upon  Sun- 
bury  common,  England,  in  ten  hours  seven  minutes, 
in  February,  1829,  was  only  144  hands  high,  and  his 


IMPROVING  THE  BREED. 


213 


driver  and  sulky  weighed  250  lbs.;  and  we  think 
more  instances  can  be  adduced  of  great  feats  at  long 
distances,  performed  by  horses  under  fifteen  than  over 
sixteen  hands  high. 

We  believe  it  is  a fixed  and  unyielding  law  of  ani- 
mal life,  that  in  medium  size  we  shall  find  the  greatest 
activity,  the  best  constitutions,  the  greatest  power  of 
endurance,  and  the  most  courage  and  vital  energy.  In 
the  human  race,  how  strikingly  is  this  law  illustrated ! 
It  is  the  men  of  close,  compact  figures,  and  medium 
height,  that  possess  the  best  constitutions,  and  are 
most  active  and  enduring.  The  athletae  of  the  amphi- 
theatre are  men  of  medium  size,  with  close,  compact, 
muscular  figures.  Mark  the  men  who  live  to  the  age 
of  ninety  or  one  hundred  years : they,  too,  are  of  me- 
dium stature,  with  swelling  chests  and  close-knit,  vigor- 
ous forms. 

Large  cattle  are  slow  in  their  movements,  and  the 
heavy  Durham  or  Herefordshire  cannot  compete  with 
the  low,  compact  and  hardy  Devon  in  action,  speed, 
and  endurance.  The  largest  varieties  of  the  dog  are 
quickly  conquered  by  the  small,  but  active  and  vigo- 
rous terrier.  And  the  tall,  heavy  Chinese  fowls  are 
speedily  overpowered  by  the  smaller,  but  nimble  and 
high-tempered  game  bird. 

The  horse  is  not  an  exception  to  this  general  law ; 
and  the  breeder  who  fancies  he  can  produce  a class  of 
tall,  heavy  horses,  possessed  of  the  activity,  the  en- 
durance and  nervous  energy  that  belongs  to  animals 
of  a smaller  size,  will  find  upon  trial  that  he  has  under- 
rated the  difficulties  of  the  undertaking.  The  Morgan 
horse  has  obtained  his  present  celebrity  as  the  best 


214 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


business  horse  of  the  country,  notwithstanding  the 
cry  ‘‘too  small,  too  small,”  and  we  earnestly  exhort 
oreeders  to  beware,  lest,  in  endeavoring  to  increase  the 
size,  they  lose  the  very  qualities  that  have  earned  for 
him  his  high  reputation.  ISTor  is  it  w;ise  to  breed  from 
horses  below  the  medium  size.  Very  small  horses  are 
unable  to  carry  the  weight  or  perform  the  service  re- 
quired, and  will  prove  dull  of  sale.  But,  aiming  to 
produce  animals  neither  overgrown  or  dwarfish,  by 
breeding  from  such  as  are  of  medium  size,  the  breeder 
can  safely  rely  upon  a quick  market  and  remunerating 
sales. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  breeder  must  labor  to  pro- 
duce such  horses  as  the  market  demands.  This  is 
very  true.  But  if  it  is  true  that  a horse  of  a certain 
form  is  best  adapted  for  the  uses  to  which  horses  sold  in 
market  are  put,  although  he  may  differ  from  the  horse 
then  in  general  use,  he  will  not  fail  to  be  properly  ap- 
preciated when  fully  known.  In  a former  chapter  we 
stated  that  we  considered  fourteen  and  a half  to  fifteen 
and  a half  hands  about  the  proper  height  of  the  busi- 
ness horse,  and  the  Morgan  horses  of  the  best  blood 
will  fall  a little  below  that  standard.  We  would,  there- 
fore, recommend  that  pains  be  taken  to  bring  him  up 
to  this  standard,  but  not  at  the  expense  of  any  of  his 
valuable  qualities. 

The  proper  method  of  attempting  this  improvement 
is  to  select  larger  mares.  They  should  not  be  of  dis- 
proportionate size,  but  such  as  are  fully  up  to,  and  if 
possible  a little  above  the  present  average  height ; the 
sire  should  not  be  larger  than  the  dam.  The  most 
intelligent  breeders  are  agreed  it  is  an  important  rule 


IMPROVING  THE  BREED. 


215 


in  breeding,  that  the  dam  should  be  fully  equal  to 
the  sire  in  size.  Yet  certainly  there  is  no  rule  more 
frequently  disregarded.  Upon  this  point  almost  all 
writers  are  fully  agreed.  Some  advise  breeding  mares 
of  large  size  to  sires  of  small  size ; this  we  should 
very  much  prefer  to  the  opposite  course ; but  our  own 
opinion  is,  that  there  should  be  an  approximate  equal- 
ity between  the  sire  and  dam,  taking  care  that  the 
sire  be  not  the  largest,  and  that  he  possess  such  qual- 
ities as  we  have  before  described. 

But  some  will  say  recourse  must  be  had  to  racing 
blood  to  improve  the  present  Morgans.  If  the  char- 
acteristic qualities  of  the  Morgan  horse  are  really  val- 
uable, we  are  at  a loss  to  see  how  his  excellence  in 
these  respects  is  to  be  increased  by  crossing  him  with 
the  race-horse. 

Where  breeding  mares  of  Morgan  blood  cannot  be 
obtained,  we  should  prefer  mares  possessing  a strain 
of  racing-blood,  but  not  thorough-bred ; for  though 
the  thorough-bred  may  occasionally  be  found  with 
considerable  compactness  of  form,  yet  it  can  hardly  be 
denied  that  a close-built,  compact  racer  with  plenty 
of  bone  and  muscle,  is  at  this  day  a rare  animal.  Still, 
he  retains  in  a high  degree  the  fire  and  courage  that 
his  ancestors  brought  with  them  from  the  deserts  of 
Arabia. 

It  is  to  the  thorough-bred  that  the  Morgan  owes,  in 
a great  measure,  his  indomitable  courage  and  never- 
flagging  spirit.  This  courage  and  spirit  every  good 
breeder  will  take  great  pains  to  foster  and  preserve. 
Comparatively  few  breeds  of  horses  possess  in  a high 
degree  this  distinguishing  trait  of  the  Arabian ; and  it 


216 


THE  MOJiGAN  HORSE. 


is  chiefly  for  this  reason  that  we  would  resort,  when 
Morgan  mares  cannot  be  obtained,  to  those  that  have  a 
strain  of  racing  or  Arabian  blood,  say  one^eighth  to 
one-quarter. 

In  the  breeding  of  all  domestic  animals  except  the 
horse,  competition  for  the  purchase  of  the  best  stock 
is  mainly  confined  to  farmers  and  breeders.  But  the 
best  specimens  of  the  horse  are  daily  sought  for,  and 
tempting  prices  offered,  by  persons  not  engaged  in  their 
production,  residing  in  the  great  cities,  who  are  proud 
to  own  the  finest  drivers  and  goers  in  the  country. 

With  the  view  of  improving  the  horses  of  France, 
the  French  government  maintain  a stud  of  the  best 
stallions  and  mares  for  breeding,  and  no  expense  is 
spared  by  them  to  command  the  best  in  that  country.  • 
In  some  parts  of  the  United  States  associations  of  farm- 
ers and  breeders  have  been  formed  for  the  same  gene- 
ral purpose.  It  is  to  an  association  of  this  kind  formed 
some  years  ago,  that  Kentucky  is  indebted  for  her  fine 
stock  of  high-bred  cattle,  which  are  acknowledged  by 
those  who  have  had  the  best  opportunities  of  judging, 
to  be  superior  to  those  of  any  other  State  in  the  Union. 
The  Kentucky  asssociations  have  usually  imported 
their  animals,  and  from  time  to  time  sold  to  their  own 
citizens,  who  would  retain  the  stock  in  the  State.  The 
stock  sold  has  usually  paid  for  the  original  cost,  and  all 
expenses,  so  that  the  improvement  has  been  made  at  a 
cheap  rate,  and  the  stock  is  constantly  improving. 

Some  liberal  gentlemen  of  fortune,  who  are  neither 
farmers  nor  breeders,  would  no  doubt  aid  in  forming 
and  keeping  up  such  associations  for  the  improvement 
of  horses.  If  such  an  association  were  formed  in  every 


IMPKOVING  THE  BKEED. 


217 


county,  they  could  easily  retain  the  best  stallions  and 
mares  for  breeding.  They  would  prove  useful  in 
awakening  more  attention  to  the  importance  and  neces- 
sity of  retaining  the  very  best  animals,  and  the  example 
of  the  association  would  not  be  lost  on  individuals. 
The  following  suggestions  by  an  intelligent  writer 
in  the  “Albany  Cultivator,”  over  the  signature  of 
“ Bquus,”  seem  to  us  worthy  of  attention : “ The  form- 
ation of  clubs  in  dijfferent  neighborhoods  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  breed  of  horses,  might  be  productive 
of  great  advantage.  It  should  be  an  object  with  such 
clubs  to  secure  the  best  mares,  which  should  be  bred 
to  the  most  valuable  horses.  The  rules  of  the  clubs 
should  be  as  few  and  as  simple  as  possible.  The  mares 
may  be  owned  separately,  by  individuals  composing 
the  clubs ; but  they  should  be  such  as  the  club,  or  a 
committee  appointed  by  it,  should  approve.  The  stal- 
lions should  be  owned  by  the  club.  They  should  be 
selected  by  individuals  appointed  by  the  club.  The 
club  should  have  the  sole  direction  in  regard  to  their 
use;  they  should  be  kept  at  joint  expense  ; and  the 
proceeds  arising  from  their  services  should  be  divided 
in  an  equitable  ratio  among  the  members.  This  busi- 
ness, if  properly  conducted,  may  undoubtedly  be  made 
profitable.  The  clubs,  if  properly  conducted,  would 
soon  establish  a favorable  reputation.  They  should 
offer  none  but  the  very  best  stock,  and  such  would  be 
certain  to  meet  with  a ready  sale  at  remunerating 
prices.” 

In  some  parts  of  the  country  such,  societies  or  clubs 
have  been  formed — ^but  few  if  any  in  our  State.  In 
reading  the  foregoing  remarks  in  relation  to  the  prop- 
10 


218 


THE  MOEGAN  HOESE. 


er  method  of  preserving  and  perpetuating  the  Morgan 
breed  of  horses,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  we 
believe  it  is  the  true  interest  of  breeders  to  foster  and 
preserve  those  qualities  that  render  them  so  valuable 
as  business  horses,  and  to  make  no  ejfifort  to  adapt  them 
to  those  kinds  of  service  for  which  fashion  or  utility 
demand  a different  kind  of  animal.  They  have  not 
height  enough  to  suit  fashionable  people  in  the  large 
cities  who  want  horses  to  roll  their  princely  equipages 
through  the  streets.  They  have  not  the  natural  paces 
that  persons  generally  think  best  suited  for  the  saddle 
and  if  we  were  to  attempt  breeding  horses  to  supply 
that  demand,  we  should  prefer  a different  breed. 

In  concluding  this  chapter,  we  cannot  forbear  ex- 
pressing the  hope  that  some  of  our  breeders  possessing 
the  requisite  knowledge  of,  and  taste  for  the  subject, 
will  favor  the  public  with  a full  and  complete  essay 
upon  it,  as  it  is  one  far  too  little  understood  by  the 
great  mass  of  our  farmers. 

The  man  who  causes  two  blades  of  grass,  or  two 
grains  of  wheat,  to  grow  where  only  one  grew  before,  is 
admitted  to  be  a public  benefactor.  But  he  who  will 
improve,  or  show  us  how  to  improve,  our  domestic  ani- 
mals, will  do  us  an  equal,  perhaps  a greater  service. 


V 


MORGAN  COMET. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


HINTS  IN  RELATION  TO  BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 

However  horsemen  may  differ  in  relation  to  the 
manner  of  inculcating  the  later  lessons,  all  seem  to  be 
well  agreed  that  perfect  kindness  and  gentleness  should 
characterize  our  first  efforts  to  bring  the  young  colt 
under  that  perfect  subjection,  without  which  the  finest 
form,  the  greatest  speed,  or  the  most  lasting  endurance, 
will  fail  to  make  him  superlatively  valuable.  But 
though  all  horsemen  profess  themselves  agreed  as  to 
the  importance  of  thus  treating  the  young  colt,  many 
allow  their  practice  to  differ  widely  from  their  profes- 
sions. 

Of  all  the  vicious  habits  which  are  found  in  horses, 
we  believe  nine-tenths  are  owing  to  unkind  treatment, 
harsh  usage  and  improper  management  when  first  put 
to  work,  or,  in  other  words,  while  being  broken. 

The  ancients  well  understood  the  importance  of 
kind  treatment  in  training  colts.  Nearly  twenty-three 
hundred  years  ago  Xenophon  wrote  the  following 
directions  for  the  management  of  the  young  horse : 
Care  must  be  taken,  that  when  the  breaker  receives 
the  foal,  he  be  gentle,  tractable,  and  fond  of  men.  For 
he  is  generally  rendered  so  at  home  by  the  groom,  if 
the  foal  is  made  to  understand  that  hunger,  thirst,  and 
irritation  are  procured  by  solitude ; and  that  meat, 
drink  and  freedom  from  irritation  are  procured  by  men. 

(219) 


220 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


When  these  things  take  place,  foals  not  only  love  but 
long  for  men.  It  is  necessary  also  to  touch  those  parts 
which,  when  touched,  give  greatest  pleasure  to  the 
horse ; and  these  are  the  hairiest,  and  those  parts  in 
which,  when  he  feels  any  pain,  he  cannot  relieve  him- 
self 

“ The  groom  should  be  enjoined  to  lead  him  through 
a crowd,  and  cause  him  to  approach  all  kinds  of  sights 
and  sounds.  Whichever  of  these  the  foal  may  dread, 
it  is  necessary  to  teach  him,  not  by  harshness,  but 
gentleness,  that  they  are  not  dangerous.” 

Kegarding  this  subject  as  one  of  vital  importance 
and  too  little  understood,  we  shall  devote  some  space 
to  it,  at  the  risk  of  its  being  thought  foreign  to  our 
general  subject. 

The  breaking  and  training  of  the  horse  to  the  kinds 
of  service  for  which,  when  matured,  he  will  be  used, 
should  commence  at  an  early  age.  The  reasons  for 
this  are  many  and  obvious.  As  the  colt  advances 
towards  maturity,  he  becomes  more  fixed  in  his  habits, 
more  resolute  in  temper,  less  capable  of  being  taught, 
and  is  able  to  offer  greater  resistance. 

With  regard  to  his  being  ^4ess  capable  of  being 
taught,”  many  persons  may  not  think  this  correct,  and, 
as  an  illustration,  point  us  to  the  horses  used  in  the 
Circus,  these  horses  being  rarely  trained  to  their  paces, 
tricks  and  evolutions,  until  they  are  fully  grown ; but 
we  do  not  think  this  in  any  respect  militates  against 
the  soundness  of  our  proposition;  it  merely  shows  us 
how  much  may  be  accomplished  after  the  horse  has 
attained  his  full  growth.  As  a general  thing,  we  think 
it  will  be  found  that  those  horses  whose  performances 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


221 


are  the  most  remarkable,  as  exhibiting  a high  and  rare 
degree  of  intelligence,  were  early  trained  to  obedience. 
It  is  a well-known  fact  that  animals  which  have 
been  trained  for  years,  and  taught  to  perform  a great 
variety  of  tricks,  until  they  seem  almost  endowed  with 
the  intelligence  of  human  beings,  are  not  only  perfect 
in  the  various  difficult  feats  they  have  been  taught,  but 
they  also  acquire  the  power  of  learning  any  other 
tricks  or  performances  with  ease  and  rapidity ; just  as 
the  child  who  from  his  infancy  has  been  taught  to 
exercise  his  faculties  daily  until  arrived  at  manhood, 
acquires  knowledge  much  more  easily  and  readily  than 
he  whose  mind  has  been  allowed  to  run  entirely  to 
waste  and  receive  no  sort  of  cultivation.  The  mere 
habit  of  implicit  obedience  from  his  earliest  years, 
would  in  itself  account,  in  a great  measure,  for  the 
greater  ease  with  which  the  horse  accustomed  to  such 
obedience  is  taught. 

Few  will  deny  that  animals  may,  and  that  the  horse 
does,  possess  intelligence ; and  we  can  scarcely  conceive 
of  an  intelligence  that  is  not  capable  of  cultivation 
and  improvement. 

When  the  horse  is  very  young  he  is  capable  of  offer- 
ing but  a feeble  resistance  to  his  master,  and  there  is 
much  less  danger  of  his  injuring  himself  or  his  trainer 
by  his  efforts  to  free  himself  from  necessary  restraint. 
Two  objections  are  sometimes  urged  against  the  early 
training  of  colts  : 1st,  that  using  them  at  a very  early 
age  retards  their  growth,  and  is  apt  to  render  them 
unsound ; and  2d,  that  early  handling  injures  and  sours 
their  temper.  To  the  first  we  reply  that  such  injuries 
result  from  injudicious  and  harsh  treatment,  and  such 


222 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


treatment  will  result  in  injuries  to  the  animal,  no 
matter  what  his  age.  We  have  heard  this  objection 
made  by  persons  who  would  allow  their  colts  to  run 
wild  until  the  third  winter,  never  even  accustoming 
them  to  allow  of  the  least  handling,  and  then  an  effort 
is  made  to  break  them,  and  the  whole  process  is  em- 
phatically a hreahing  one. 

A file  of  men  surround  him  in  the  field,  drive  him 
to  a corner,  and  with  great  trouble  a halter  is  got  upon 
him.  He  is  made  fast  to  a strong  post  and  allowed  to 
wear  himself  out  in  his  prodigious  efforts  to  escape ; 
efforts  that  far  more  imperil  his  limbs  and  his  life  than 
years  of  careful  and  judicious  use.  Unless  great 
pains  are  taken  that  all  the  fastenings  are  secure,  he 
will  be  apt  to  free  himself;  and,  let  him  once  break 
away,  all  after  attempts  to  subdue  him  will  be  attended 
with  tenfold  difl&culty.  After  being  so  far  subdued 
that  he  will  yield  to  the  halter  and  allow  himself  to  be 
led,  a harness  is  put  on  him,  he  is  put  with  another 
animal  before  a common  sled,  the  tongue  or  pole  of 
which  runs  so  low  that  the  traces  are  dangling  about 
his  legs,  and  he  can  at  any  time  step  over  them  with- 
out the  slightest  difficulty.  He  has  been  put  in  by 
main  force,  and  he  stands  sulky  and  ill-tempered,  his 
legs  spread  out  and  his  ears  motionless.  When  told 
to  start,  and  the  horse  with  him  moves  off,  he  is  drag- 
ged ahead,  and  in  all  probability  his  first  movement 
will  be  a prodigious  rush  forward  that  threatens  to 
snap  every  strap  and  fastening  about  him ; should  a 
trace  or  a whiffletree  break,  or  any  other  important 
thing  give  way,  he  will  often  get  loose,  and  from  the 
effects  of  such  a fright  and  escape,  the  high-spirited 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


223 


colt  rarely  recovers;  lie  may,  by  good  management  and 
care,  be  driven,  and  even  become  apparently  quiet  and 
manageable';  but  let  some  part  of  his  harness  break, 
or  a trace  unhitch,  and  he  is  instantly  wild  with  fright, 
and  will  use  every  possible  exertion  to  escape,  which 
exertion  will,  in  many  cases,  prove  successful.  But  if, 
instead  of  making  any  effort  to  free  himself  from  re- 
straint when  he  is  first  bid  to  go,  he  proves  sullen  and 
exhibits  a disposition  to  resist  all  endeavors  to  move 
him,  his  driver  at  once  declares  it  an  exhibition  of  ill- 
temper  and  natural  ugliness  that  must  be  broken  down 
at  the  very  commencement  of  his  training,  or  it  will 
grow  worse  by  going  unchecked;  accordingly  he  begins 
with  a slight  touch  of  the  whip,  slight,  because  he  is 
somewhat  afraid  of  the  immediate  consequences : startled 
by  the  blow,  the  colt  perhaps  makes  an  efibrt  to  move 
forward,  but  is  checked  by  the  bit,  the  driver  having 
taken  him  well  in  hand  before  touching  him  with  the 
whip : another  touch  of  the  whip  with  a slackened 
rein  and  possibly  he  is  got  off  without  accident.  But 
suppose  the  first  touch  of  the  whip  does  not  startle 
him,  it  is  repeated  until  he  feels  some  pain  from  it,  and 
he  returns  the  blow  with  a kick,  just  as  he  kicks  at 
the  fly  that  annoys  him  in  the  pasture ; instead,  how- 
ever, of  meeting  nothing  but  thin  air,  his  foot  or  leg 
comes  in  contact  with  the  whiffletree,  the  pole,  or  the 
traces — he  is  both  hurt  and  frightened — he  repeats  the 
blow,  and  in  a few  moments  has  freed  himself  from 
the  carriage,  his  driver,  and  all  restraint,  and  has  taken 
his  first  lesson  in  one  of  the  worst  vices  to  which  the 
horse  can  be  addicted. 

It  is  true  that  under  such  management  the  colt  will 


224 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


often  turn  out  well  and  become  perfectly  kind  and 
tractable,  but  it  by  no  means  follows  that  because  such 
management  often  succeeds  it  is  the  best  mode  of  treat- 
ing the  young  colt.  Such  treatment  often  results  in 
the  utter  ruin  of  the  animal,  by  straining  him  or  in- 
flicting some  other  bodily  injury,  or  by  fixing  upon 
him  some  vice  that  renders  him  wholly  unsalable. 

Of  the  animals  that  suffer  permanent  injury  from 
such  management,  nine-tenths  of  them  are  horses  that 
would,  under  different  treatment,  have  made  very  su- 
perior and  valuable  servants — for  it  is  the  horse  of  high 
courage  and  spirit  that  offers  the  most  serious  resistance, 
and  requires  the  greatest  exercise  of  patience,  kindness, 
and  gentle  treatment;  while  the  dull,  sluggish  and 
stupid  animal,  though  easily  broken,  is  unfortunately 
worth  but  a trifle  after  it  is  done. 

Some  may  think  it  impossible  that  such  a course  of 
brutal  treatment  can  be  often  pursued  towards  the 
horse  in  view  of  all  that  has  been  written  upon  the  sub- 
ject; but  we  have  so  often  seen  instances  of  it,  that  it 
is  quite  plain  enough  has  not  yet  been  said  or  written 
against  it. 

In  training  the  young  horse,  too  much  pains  cannot 
be  taken  to  have  every  description  of  harness  or 
fastening  put  upon  him  perfectly  sound  and  sufficiently 
strong.  Accidents  arising  from  defects  in  the  harness 
or  carriage  are  not  only  dangerous  to  the  driver,  but 
often  ruinous  to  the  horse. 

The  first  lessons  in  obedience  should  be  given  while 
the  colt  is  following  the  dam  ; and,  to  accomplish  this 
the  more  readily,  the  mare  should  be  often  used  at 
some  light  work,  in  order  that  the  colt  may  be  easily 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING, 


225 


handled  and  made  perfectly  familiar  with  the  various 
objects  with  which,  when  grown,  he  will  be  connected. 
He  should  be  handled  every  day  gently  and  quietly, 
taking  care  to  touch  him  only  in  those  places  that  are 
agreeable  to  him : these  places  will  be  those  that  he 
cannot  easily  rub,  or  touch  with  his  mouth  or  feet — 
such  as  the  back,  the  top  of  the  hips,  the  jowls,  the 
under  side  of  the  neck  and  the  head,  taking  care  to  avoid 
the  ears,  for  few  horses  like  to  have  their  ears  touched, 
no  matter  how  carefully.  The  greatest  care  should  be 
taken  to  avoid  touching  them  on  the  flanks,  or  the 
inside  of  the  stifle,  the  under  side  of  the  breast,  or  in 
any  place  where  it  seems  to  annoy  him. 

Every  one  has  observed  that  some  persons  are  more 
easily  tickled  than  others,  some  being  so  sensitive  in 
this  respect  that  the  mere  pointing  of  a finger  towards 
them  puts  them  in  perfect  misery ; while  others  hardly 
ever  experience  any  such  sensation,  no  matter  how 
much  effort  is  made  to  produce  it.  The  horse  is 
equally  sensitive  in  this  respect,  and  many  a fine  animal 
has  been  utterly  ruined  by  a total  disregard  to  this 
natural  sensation,  over  which  the  horse  has  no  control. 
How  often  do  we  see  the  horse  tied  up  to  be  groomed 
twisting  and  turning  in  every  direction  to  avoid  the 
sharp  teeth  of  the  curry-comb  with  which  the  brutal 
groom  is  harrowing  up  the  skin,  and  chafing  him  in 
those  places  where  even  the  slightest  touch  puts  him 
in  agony : should  the  poor  brute  venture  to  return  such 
usage  by  a kick,  a most  unmerciful  beating  is  pretty 
sure  to  follow,  and  he  is  at  once  pronounced  an  ugly 
and  vicious  animal. 

When  the  colt  is  about  two  months  old,  a halter 
10^ 


226 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


should  be  put  on  him : a rope  one  will  do,  though  a 
leather  one  is  better,  as  the  harsh  rope  chafes  and 
annoys  him.  Of  whatever  material  the  halter  is  made, 
it  should  be  abundantly  strong,  so  that  his  most  violent 
struggles  cannot  break  it ; put  a harness  on  the  mare, 
and  either  put  her  before  a wagon,  or  hitch  her  in  such 
a way  that  the  colt  will  not  be  liable  to  hurt  himself 
in  plunging,  as  he  will  be  pretty  sure  to  for  a few 
minutes.  If  he  has  been  accustomed  to  being  handled, 
no  difficulty  will  be  found  in  putting  on  the  halter. 
It  should  be  fastened  to  the  collar  of  the  mare’s  har- 
ness, and  the  breaker,  taking  hold  of  the  bit  of  the 
mother  with  one  hand,  keep  constant  hold  of  the 
halter  of  the  colt  with  the  other ; for  it  is  important 
that  he  should  not  only  surrender,  but  he  should  be 
made  to  associate  all  ideas  of  obedience  with  his  master. 
After  a few  pulls  at  the  halter  and  a jump  or  two,  he 
submits,  and  may  soon  be  led  anywhere  with  perfect 
safety. 

In  these,  as  in  all  other  lessons,  care  should  be  taken 
to  reward  every  act  of  obedience  by  a gentle  pat  and 
a kind  word.  After  the  colt  will  suffer  himself  to  be 
led,  little  more  need  be  done  towards  breaking  him 
until  he  is  two  years  old,  except  that  he  should  be 
handled  daily  and  often  led ; and  in  doing  this  care 
should  be  taken  not  to  endeavor  to  walk  faster  than 
the  colt  is  naturally  disposed  to.  It  is  a great  mistake 
to  suppose  that  incessant  lugging  at  the  halter  will 
teach  the  colt  to  walk  fast : it  will  only  teach  him  to 
hang  back  upon  the  halter,  and  this  habit,  once  con- 
firmed, can  never  be  fully  broken.  At  two  years  old 
the  breaking  to  harness  and  saddle  should  commence. 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


227 


If  the  colt  has  never  been  accustomed  to  the  confine- 
ment of  the  stall,  he  should  be  put  in  for  a few  hours 
every  day  for  a few  days,  hitched  short  so  that  there 
may  be  no  possibility  of  his  getting  his  feet  over  the 
halter  ; he  should  be  turned  out  nights  till  he  gets  per- 
fectly well  accustomed  to  his  stable.  During  this  time 
he  should  be  bitted  every  day ; at  first  he  may  be  turn- 
ed loose  with  a headstall  or  bridle  on,  without  the 
reins;  this  should  be  continued  till  he  becomes  per- 
fectly accustomed  to  the  bit. 

The  ordinary  bitting  bridle  may  then  be  put  on,  and 
the  bearing  and  side  reins  taken  up  just  so  as  to  move 
the  head  a very  little  from  its  natural  position,  and  it 
should  not  be  kept  on  more  than  two  hours.  Nothing 
can  be  more  pernicious  than  the  practice  of  straining 
the  head  into  an  exceedingly  unnatural  position,  and 
keeping  it  so  for  hours,  to  the  excruciating  torture  of 
the  animal,  and  the  utter  ruin  of  his  mouth. 

Much  of  this  ill-treatment  in  bitting  is  to  be  attribut- 
ed to  a mistaken  notion  that  the  manner  in  which  the 
horse  carries  his  head  will  depend  principally,  or  in  a 
great  measure,  upon  the  position  into  which  it  is  drawn 
by  the  bitting  bridle.  The  position  in  which  the 
horse  carries  his  head  in  harness  will  depend  almost 
entirely  upon  his  form  and  his  temper,  which  govern  its 
natural  position  when  left  free  from  any  sort  of  restraint. 
No  art  can  ever  give  the  horse  with  a low,  perpendicular 
shoulder  and  short  neck,  a fine  style  of  carrying  his  head 
and  neck,  even  if  he  possesses  good  courage  and  spirit. 
The  bitting  bridle  may  be  of  some  service  in  giving 
the  head  a proper  position;  but  the  great  object  of 
using  it  is,  to  accustom  the  horse  to  submit  to  the  press- 


228 


TNE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


lire  of  the  bit,  and  teach  him  to  obey  the  motions  of 
the  reins. 

When  the  head  is  strained  up  into  an  unnatural  and 
uncomfortable  position,  and  kept  there  a long  time,  the 
colt  relieves  the  pain  he  feels  by  resting  the  entire 
weight  of  his  head  on  the  bit ; and  in  this  case,  instead 
of  deriving  any  benefit  from  it,  his  mouth  is  injured 
by  his  acquiring  the  habit  of  hanging  on  the  bit,  and 
often  this  will  be  accompanied  by  the  habit  of  leaning 
his  head  on  one  side  of  his  bit ; these  habits  will  fol- 
low him  through  life,  and  very  materially  injure  him. 

Youatt  says,  “ The  bit  should  be  large  and  smooth, 
and  the  reins  buckled  to  a ring  in  the  side  of  the  pad. 
There  are  many  curious  and  expensive  machines  for  this 
purpose,  but  the  simple  rein  will  be  quite  sufficient.  It 
should  at  first  be  slack,  and  then  be  gradually  tighten- 
ed. This  will  prepare  for  the  more  perfect  manner  in 
which  the  head  will  afterwards  be  got  into  its  proper 
position,  when  the  colt  is  accustomed  to  the  saddle. 
Occasionally  the  breaker  should  stand  in  front  of  the 
colt  and  take  hold  of  each  rein  near  the  mouth,  and 
press  u]3on  it,  and  thus  begin  to  teach  him  to  stop 
and  to  back  on  the  pressure  of  the  rein,  rewarding 
every  act  of  docility,  and  not  being  too  eager  to 
punish  occasional  carelessness  or  waywardness.” 

After  having  become  well  accustomed  to  the  bit, 
portions  of  the  harness  should  be  put  on  slowly  and 
carefully,  and  he  should  be  led  about  for  a time  until 
he  becomes  perfectly  accustomed  to  it.  Then  the  reins 
may  be  used,  and  when  he  has  become  obedient  to 
them,  a third  person  should  take  hold  of  the  traces,  one 
in  each  hand,  taking  care  that  they  are  long  enough  so 


BRP]AK1NG  AND  DRIVING. 


229 


that  he  can  retain  his  hold  if  the  colt  should  kick,  and 
by  occasionally  pulling  on  them  teach  the  colt  to  keep 
steadily  along,  whether  he  feels  any  draught  on  his 
shoulders  or  not. 

After  the  colt  has  been  thoroughly  practiced  in  all 
these  exercises  until  he  has  become  perfectly  familiar 
with  them,  and  quiet  in  them,  he  can  be  put  into  a cart 
or  sulky.  This  should  be  light,  with  high  wheels,  so 
that  the  shafts  (which  should  be  very  strong)  may  come 
up  fully  as  high  as  the  stifle.  The  best  place  for  doing 
this  is  an  open,  smooth  field.  To  put  the  horse  before 
the  cart  or  sulky,  three  persons  are  required — one  to 
hold  the  colt  while  the  others,  each  taking  hold  of  one  of 
the  thills,  draw  up  the  carriage  behind  him,  and,  shov- 
ing forward  and  raising  the  thills,  hitch  up  the  traces 
as  carefully  but  quickly  as  possible.  This  being  done, 
the  driver  should  get  upon  the  seat,  and  taking  the 
reins,  allow  the  person  holding  the  colt  to  lead  him  a 
few  rods  until  he  takes  no  notice  of  the  carriage.  He 
should  then  carefully  relax  his  hold  and  give  him  up 
to  the  sole  management  of  the  driver,  who  should  make 
little  effort  to  rein  or  guide  him,  but  simply  hold  him 
snug  enough  to  keep  in  a walk — ^for  he  should  not  at 
first  be  allowed  to  trot ; this  exercise  should  be  short, 
but  should  be  repeated  every  day.  Many  will  prefer 
to  put  the  colt  beside  another  horse,  but  we  much  pre- 
fer this  method  for  several  reasons,  first — although  he 
may  be  taught  to  go  quietly  with  another  horse,  still 
he  will  not  drive  well  alone  without  a new  course  of 
instruction.  In  almost  all  double  carriages  the  pole 
runs  so  low  that  the  colt  can  easily  kick  over  the  traces ; 
and,  should  he  happen  to  get  over  them,  he  is  frighten- 


280 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ed,  and  it  is  often  very  difficult  to  get  him  quiet,  or 
prevent  his  breaking  away.  In  double  harness  the 
colt  can  at  any  time  free  himself  from  the  restraint  of 
the  bit  by  stopping  and  allowing  the  strain  of  the  reins 
to  come  upon  his  mate.  If  a little  vexed,  he  can 
twist  about,  throw  his  head  over  his  mate’s  neck,  and 
do  many  annoying  things  that  he  cannot  do  in  the 
sulky  or  cart.  Nothing  now  remains  to  complete  his 
education  but  to  teach  him  his  paces ; and  this,  although 
rarely  much  attended  to,  is  of  the  greatest  consequence, 
as  on  his  perfection  in  these  depends  much  of  his  useful- 
ness and  value. 

No  pace  is  of  so  much  importance  to  the  roadster  or 
business  horse  as  the  walk,  and  the  young  horse  should 
be  thoroughly  drilled  in  this  before  any  attempt  is 
made  to  push  him  in  the  trot. 

The  greatest  care  should  be  taken  to  keep  each  pace 
clear  and  distinct  from  the  other;  when  walking,  he 
should  never  be  allowed  to  trot  a few  steps  and  then 
commence  his  walk  again.  In  the  ordinary  training 
of  horses  very  little  attention  is  paid  to  this,  and  the 
result  is,  it  is  a very  rare  thing  that  a horse  will  bear 
the  least  urging,  while  walking,  Avithout  breaking  at 
once  into  a trot.  When  trotting,  as  in  walking,  care 
must  be  taken  that  he  keeps  steadily  at  his  pace  and 
not  slacking  into  a Avalk  for  a step  or  two ; and  be  not 
over-anxious  to  have  your  colt  acquire  a reputation  for 
a fast  trotter,  before  he  has  learned  to  move  well  in  a 
walk  or  a moderate  trot.  However,  he  must  occasion- 
ally be  pushed  to  his  extreme  speed  in  the  trot,  but  he 
should  be  kept  up  to  it  only  a few  moments  at  a time  • 
and.  whenever  he  has  done  well,  take  care  to  let  him 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


231 


walk  a short  time,  and  reward  him  with  a kind  and 
soothing  word.  In  driving,  always  keep  the  reins  snug, 
no  matter  how  gentle  the  horse,  or  how  slow  his  pace ; 
the  gentlest  horse  may  sometimes  be  frightened,  and 
the  slowest  will  sometimes  stumble.  To  drive  with 
the  reins  dangling  about  your  horse  is  a careless  habit, 
and  your  horse  at  all  times  needs  a gentle  pressure  on  the 
bit.  When  pushed  to  the  top  of  his  speed  he  should 
be  kept  well  in  hand,  and  the  reins  kept  up  snug,  that 
he  may  learn  to  bear  well  upon  them,  as  it  is  by  means 
of  the  reins  chiefly  that  the  horse,  when  going  at  a 
high  speed,  is  kept  steady  in  his  pace.  While  it  is 
important  that  he  should  take  a good  snug  rein,  he 
should  not  be  taught  to  pull  with  all  his  might,  for 
then  he  is  not  only  difficult  to  manage,  but  the  tremen- 
dous pull  is  apt  to  draw  in  his  nose,  and  by  thus  bend- 
ing the  neck  too  much,  prevent  his  breathing  readily 
and  freely. 

The  art  of  driving  well,  however,  can  no  more  be 
taught  by  any  written  instructions  than  the  art  c£ 
writing:  we  only  intend  to  state  a few  plain  and  simple 
truths  that  every  one  who  is  attempting  to  break  a 
young  colt  should  know  and  understand. 

Comparatively  few  persons  besides  the  professed 
jockeys,  fully  understand  the  art  of  developing  the 
greatest  speed  of  the  horse  in  a trot,  and  it  would  be 
utterly  impossible  to  describe  how  the  driver  may  dis- 
cover the  first  evidence  of  a break,  which  may  gene- 
rally be  noticed  several  steps  before  the  break  occurs : 
still  more  difficult  would  it  be  to  describe  the  manner 
in  which  the  finished  driver,  by  a word  and  a strain 
upon  the  reins,  fairly  lifts  his  horse  over  the  trouble- 


232 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


some  point,  without  the  least  apparent  check  to  his 
speed.  Yet  almost  any  man  who  has  any  taste  for  a 
horse  can  do  much  towards  improving  him  in  this  re- 
spect. A great  deal  will  depend  upon  the  temper  and 
life  of  the  horse.  The  horse  of  dull  and  sluggish  tem- 
per will  bear  to  be  crowded  with  the  whip,  and  when 
he  breaks,  may  be  more  severely  punished  than  the 
horse  of  high  spirit ; the  latter  rarely  needs  any  urging  to 
send  him  at  once  to  his  best  speed,  but  that  very  ardor 
renders  him  much  more  likely  to  overstep  his  gait. 
He  must  not  be  punished  severely  for  every  breaking 
from  his  gait,  for,  if  he  is  invariably  beaten  for  it, 
when  he  finds  he  is  beginning  to  get  “tangled”  he  is 
frightened,  and  immediately  breaks,  and  having  once 
broken,  it  is  very  difficult  to  get  him  down  to  his  work 
again. 

Though  particularly  true  of  the  young  horse,  that 
he  should  be  kept  at  the  top  of  his  speed  but  a short 
time,  it  is  also  true  of  the  older  animal.  He  should  be 
driven  daily  at  a moderate  pace,  two  or  three  times  a 
week,  giving  him  a sharp  drive  of  two  or  three  miles, 
not  all  the  way  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  but  at  a good 
smart  gait,  occasionally  crowding  him  to  the  utmost 
stretch  of  his  powers,  but  in  no  case  should  it  be  kept 
up  till  he  begins  to  flag  and  fall  off  in  his  pace.  It 
will  also  be  found  advantageous  to  drive  him  over  the 
same  ground  frequently,  until  he  becomes  well  ac-  ‘ 
quainted  with  it,  and  rouse  him  to  exertion  at  the  same 
points ; by  doing  this,  he  will,  if  possessed  of  any 
spirit,  soon  acquire  a keen  relish  for  these  “bursts.” 
Care  must  be  taken  that  while  endeavoring  to  develop 
the  greatest  power  of  the  horse  in  the  trot,  his  other 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


233 


paces  are  not  neglected;  particularly  should  great  pains 
be  taken  to  accustom  him  to  a good  driving  or  road 
gait,  and  to  teach  him  to  stand  quietly  and  patiently 
whenever  and  wherever  stopped,  until  bidden  to  go. 
The  latter  is  often  a difficult  lesson,  and  requires  the 
greatest  patience  on  the  part  of  the  trainer,  and  even 
with  his  utmost  skill  and  perseverance  he  will  find 
some  horses  whose  temperaments  are  so  nervous  that 
it  will  never  be  safe  to  leave  them  unfastened. 

During  all  this  course  of  early  training,  it  must  be 
constantly  borne  in  mind  that  the  colt,  although  old 
enough  to  learn  how  to  move  well  in  harness,  and 
perhaps  to  drive  as  quietly  and  pleasantly  as  an  older 
horse,  is  not  old  enough  to  perform  the  work  of  an 
animal  fully  matured.  Two  or  three  miles  a day  be- 
fore a sulky  or  very  light  buggy  at  a walk,  is  ample 
work  for  him  when  two  years  or  thirty  months  old. 
This  exercise  should  be  gradually  increased  as  he  grows 
older,  until  at  four  or  five  years  he  can  be  put  to  ordi- 
nary work ; but  he  will  not  often  be  able  to  endure 
severe  and  constant  labor  until  six  or  seven ; and  we 
believe  it  is  the  general  opinion  of  sporting  men  that 
the  trotter,  if  properly  treated,  will  continue  to  improve 
until  ten  or  twelve  years  old,  if  not  prematurely  put 
to  severe  work. 

In  this  connection,  a few  remarks  as  to  the  proper 
manner  of  preparing  horses  for,  and  exhibiting  them  at 
Agricultural  Fairs,  or  upon  other  public  occasions,  may 
not  be  amiss,  especially  when  we  consider  that  the  entire 
neglect  which  many  really  fine  animals  so  often  meet 
with  at  these  exhibitions,  is  frequently  due  entirely 


234 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


to  the  ignorance,  gross  carelessness  or  neglect  of  their 
owners. 

A farmer  has  a fine,  powerful  three-years-old  colt, 
that  is  descended  from  excellent  stock,  and  is  in  fact 
a fine  animal,  and  he  concludes  to  exhibit  him  at  a 
neighboring  Fair ; he  has  been  partially  broken  to  lead, 
but,  with  this  exception,  is  entirely  untrained ; he  has 
been  left  in  the  pasture  entirely  to  himself ; he  is  in 
high  condition,  but  his  flesh  is  soft  from  green  feed  and 
want  of  exercise ; his  mane  and  tail  are  matted  and 
rusty,  and  his  coat  looks  faded  and  dry  from  long 
exposure  to  sun  and  rain.  But  his  owner  says  the 
judges  should  look  at  the  horse  and  not  at  his  training, 
or  grooming,  and  appears  to  forget  that  the  capacity  of 
the  horse  to  receive  instruction  is  one  of  his  valuable 
qualities,  and  this  capacity  cannot  be  shown  save  by 
training.  And  how  shall  we  know  whether  his  harsh, 
sunburnt  hair  can  ever  look  soft  and  glossy,  even  with 
the  most  careful  grooming  ? 

Even  if  these  things  could  be  determined,  such  a 
horse  would  never  compare  favorably  with  one  which, 
though  by  nature  in  no  respect  superior,  is  yet  equally 
well  formed,  and  has  been  properly  groomed  and 
trained.  We  should  no  more  expect  a man  of  taste 
would  fancy  such  an  animal,  than  we  should  expect 
him  to  be  fascinated  with  a beautiful  woman,  of  awk- 
ward manners  and  untidily  dressed. 

All  horses  intended  for  exhibitions,  at  which  they 
will  require  to  be  exercised,  either  in  harness  or  under 
the  saddle,  should  have  at  least  two  weeks’  preparation, 
in  order  that  they  may  appear  to  the  best  advantage ; 


BREAKING  AND  DRIVING. 


235 


supposing  them  to  be  in  good  flesh,  and  healthy  at 
the  time  this  preparation  commences.  If  it  is  intended 
to  test  the  speed  or  endurance  of  the  animal,  he  should 
be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  the  race-horse  is  pre- 
pared for  the  course,  and  the  preparation  should  com- 
mence much  earlier.  If,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  contem- 
plated only  to  exhibit  his  form  and  paces,  and  give  him 
moderate  exercise  throughout  the  day,  much  less  pains 
need  be  taken. 

The  horse  should  have  a cool,  airy,  and  roomy  stall, 
and  should  be  kept  covered,  if  in  summer,  with  a light, 
and  if  in  winter,  with  a heavy  blanket.  If  he  is  very 
fat,  his  flesh  should  be  reduced  by  decreasing  his  feed 
and  increasing  his  exercise ; for  no  good  horseman  will 
be  pleased  with  an  animal  whose  muscles  are  entirely 
concealed  by  huge  masses  of  fat ; and  it  is  a great  mis- 
take to  endeavor  to  exhibit  horses  and  hogs  in  equal 
condition. 

If  your  horse  is  in  suitable  flesh,  and  is  fully  ma- 
tured, he  should  travel  not  less  than  six  or  eight  miles 
per  day,  be  thoroughly  cleaned  morning  and  night, 
have  a liberal  allowance  of  good  sweet  hay,  and  just 
grain  enough  to  keep  him  in  the  right  condition.  If  his 
exercise  is  six  miles  per  day  at  a moderate  rate,  from  four 
to  six  quarts  of  oats  will  usually  be  sufficient ; should 
he  make  flesh  under  this  treatment,  his  feed  should  be 
decreased,  and  his  exercise  increased,  enough  to  coun- 
teract this  tendency  to  take  on  flesh.  The  horse  may 
be  put  to  any  light  work  if  it  is  convenient ; but  if  his 
exercise  is  continued  through  most  of  the  daj^,  he  will 
require  much  more  liberal  feed.  If  the  owner  has  no 
work  for  him,  or  is  anxious  to  have  his  horse  make 


236 


THE  MOEGAN  HOESE. 


a fine  appearance,  he  will  do  well  to  have  him  take 
his  daily  exercise  in  the  manner  he  will  be  exhibited, 
whether  in  the  wagon,  sulky,  or  under  the  saddle,  in 
order  that  he  may  appear  easy  and  well  accustomed 
to  it.  Sufficient  exercise  is  not  often  given,  but  it  is 
of  great  importance.  Without  it,  the  horse  is  nervous 
and  excited,  from  being  brought  into  a crowd  after  long 
confinement  to  the  stable ; his  fiesh  is  soft,  he  frets,  per- 
spires freely,  the  dust  sticks  to  him,  he  soon  looks  like 
a coach-horse  at  the  end  of  a long,  hard  stage,  and, 
before  the  day  is  passed,  is  quite  exhausted  by  his  un- 
accustomed exercise. 

In  exhibiting  your  horse,  do  not  attempt  to  assume 
the  character  of  a jockey,  for  in  the  great  majority  of 
cases  the  attempt  will  prove  a failure;  and  should  you 
succeed,  we  think  you  will  not  find  the  character 
more  creditable  to  you  than  that  of  a sound  practical 
farmer  or  breeder.  Not  that  we  believe  there  is  any 
moral  or  religious  principle — any  rule  of  social  duty — 
©r  any  reasonable  consideration  that  forbids  a person 
owning  the  finest  horses,  and  exhibiting  upon  suitable 
occasions,  and  in  a proper  manner,  their  form  and  paces 
to  the  best  advantage,  displaying  skilful  horsemanship 
in  the  management  of  them;  but,  in  our  judgment,  it 
is  not  in  good  taste  for  any  one,  either  in  public  or 
private,  to  attempt  to  assume  a character  not  his  own. 

How  often  do  we  see  youth,  aspiring  to  the  distinc- 
tion of  being  called  ‘‘fast,”  driving  round  the  rings  at 
our  Agricultural  Fairs,  pulling,  like  John  Gilpin,  upon 
a horse  who  perchance  needs  most  diligent  persuading 
to  trot  a mile  in  four  minutes,  and  wounding  all  sensi- 
tive ears  with  yells  and  shrieks  that  would  shame  a 


BKEAKING  AND  DEIVING. 


237 


Bedlamite ; as  if  the  art  of  driving  consisted  in  pulling 
with  might  and  main  upon  the  bit,  and  screaming  at 
the  utmost  pitch  of  their  voices. 

How  would  such  men  as  Woodruff,  Wheelan,  Pea- 
body, or  Pfifer  swell  with  indignation,  were  they  to  be 
present  on  these  occasions,  and  see  their  art  thus  grossly 
caricatured. 


CHAPTEE  Xin. 


THE  PROPER  MANNER  OF  FEEDING  AND  DRIVING  UPON  THE  ROAD. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  we  have  offered  some  sug- 
gestions as  to  the  proper  method  of  teaching  the  young 
horse  to  submit  cheerfully  and  fully  to  the  authority 
and  direction  of  his  master,  and  also  as  to  the  best 
manner  of  driving.  These  last  had  particular  reference 
to  the  proper  manner  of  driving,  to  render  the  manage- 
ment of  him  easy,  and  to  exhibit  his  form  and  paces 
to  the  best  advantage.  What  we  say  upon  the  subject 
of  driving,  in  this  chapter,  has  special  reference  to  the 
manner  of  regulating  his  speed  over  the  unequal  sur- 
face of  the  ordinary  roads  of  the  country,  supposing 
him  to  be  thus  driven  daily,  as  upon  a journey  or  in 
the  stage  coach. 

With  regard  to  the  kind  of  food  that  should  be 
given  the  horse  when  used  upon  the  road,  there  is 
much  difference  of  opinion,  some  preferring  corn,  some 
oats,  and  some  meal,  the  latter  to  be  fed  with  the  hay 
after  the  hay  has  been  cut  fine  and  moistened  with 
water,  and  is  called  “cut  feed.”  The  meal  used  is 
generally  a mixture  of  corn  and  oats,  corn  and  rye, 
and  sometimes  of  corn,  oats  and  rye.  When  of  corn 
and  oats,  it  is  usually  of  about  equal  parts  of  each,  but 
the  rye,  when  used,  is  generally  mixed  with  about 
double  its  quantity  of  the  other  grains.  Without  stop- 
ping to  discuss  the  chemical  analysis  of  these  grains, 

(28S 


SHERMAN. 


THE  GRANITE  STATE  MORGAN 


m 


niwhjluc 

'jkajtm 

*eeia  'i\n  iri  wu  •••»■»  iuj«  J u.;U  «d 

lHUiim  * !>-i)  'Jtt^tl'TJlifV*-*!.-  M>ioM  .Uoif  'Ul  £«» 

•ji-/S:;«  j/.at  -iat  .Oi!^  1.* 

U-i'vi  <■'.  - r 4t::v-.  1;/  ■ • .■..'.-'li'i 

..  I.  ,1  '•  »'l  K -.i*.'!  ♦«:<-’  - wik 


■u.-.  ..  . - . !:  v . >-M- 

. .-■■  ‘ *■  I'A.V,  jWI* 

A<(.  «;  .»,4,  ,^UW'liJ,ipi'^:)(|i|U 

i .'<i  .’M  u-  «s*  ..";:ii^t||(|||p 

-wOi  i?  «r  ri. 


. ••.■«A ir'  >.>, J-iWl,,.,,.  MTUiiV.’ i 

:'  ' " ^ ■ V ,-;  ■■•i  ^ -f-  4^- 


y'i  ii«W 


1^‘^m 


■ • .I'rv; >*■  'ti4i  -R 

. w»ii  ad 


FEEDlIsG  AND  DEIVING. 


239 


and  deducLiig  therefrom  their  relative  value  as  articles 
of  food,  we  shall  content  ourselves  with  stating  which, 
in  our  opinion,  will  be  found,  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances, the  most  profitable.  Leaving  it  to  the  chemist 
to  decide  which  will  produce  the  most  fat,  and  which 
the  most  muscle,  we  would  suggest  that  this  should 
not  alone  determine  our  choice — for  when  put  to  rapid 
work,  the  horse  must  not  only  have  nutritious  food, 
but  it  must  be  such  as  will  digest  readily,  in  order  that 
digestion  may  be  performed  as  much  as  possible  dur- 
ing the  hours  of  rest.  Driving  the  horse  rapidly 
when  his  stomach  is  filled  with  undigested  food,  is  not 
only  injurious,  but  dangerous.  Again,  sudden  and 
entire  changes  in  diet  are  decidedly  injurious ; and  if  a 
person,  when  travelling,  endeavors  to  use  a kind  of 
food  that  is  not  easily  and  readily  obtained  at  the 
various  places  where  he  stops  to  feed,  he  will  fre- 
quently be  compelled  to  give  his  horse  a kind  of  grain 
to  which  he  is  altogether  unaccustomed.  In  those 
parts  of  the  country  where  barley  is  raised,  we  should 
use  it,  preferring  it  to  any  other  food,  provided  the 
horse  is  not  driven  very  rapidly ; but  as  in  most  sec- 
tions of  the  country  barley  cannot  readily  be  procured, 
we  should  recommend  oats,  as  they  are  not  only  excel- 
lent food,  but  can  be  almost  everywhere  obtained  with- 
out difficulty. 

As  to  the  quantity  that  should  be  fed,  no  definite 
rule  can  be  given,  as  the  quantity  must  be  varied  to 
suit  the  wants  of  different  animals.  From  eight  to 
sixteen  quarts,  and  usually  from  ten  to  twelve  quarts 
per  day,  will  be  found  sufficient. 

Where  ground  oats  (oatmeal)  can  be  had  they  are 


240  THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 

always  to  be  preferred,  as  they  are  sooner  digested. 
The  feed,  whether  oats  or  oatmeal,  should  be  moistened 
with  water,  as  this  makes  it  more  grateful  to  the  ani- 
mal, facilitates  digestion,  and  it  is  thus  more  easily  and 
thoroughly  masticated.  This  should  be  given  regular, 
and  not  more  than  three  feeds  in  twenty-four  hours. 
The  largest  should  be  given  at  night,  and  the  lightest 
at  noon,  unless  the  horse  is  allowed  from  two  to  three 
hours  rest,  in  which  case  the  noon  feed  may  be  in- 
creased. In  no  case  should  either  water  or  food  be 
given  when  the  animal  is  very  warm  from  exercise. 

The  first  and  most  important  duty  that  the  traveller 
should  in  no  case  neglect,  is  to  look  personally  to  the 
care  of  his  horse,  to  see  that  he  is  properly  fed  and 
watered,  that  he  is  put  in  a comfortable  stall,  that  he 
is  well  groomed  and  well  littered.  The  man  who  con- 
siders the  care  of  the  horse  he  is  driving  unworthy  his 
attention,  or  who  from  carelessness  neglects  it,  ought 
never  to  leave  home  unattended  by  some  person  whose 
dignity  will  not  suffer  from  attention  to  the  comforts 
of  his  faithful  servant,  and  who  is  sulficiently  thought- 
ful to  recollect  them.  This  care  of  the  horse  is  not 
only  demanded  by  every  principle  of  humanity,  but 
also  by  regard  for  our  own  interest,  since  no  horse, 
however  sound  and  enduring,  can  last  long  under 
severe  labor  without  constant  and  judicious  care.  It 
is  hardly  necessary  for  us  to  say  that  the  fact  that  the 
animal  is  a hired  one,  in  no  way  lessens  the  duty,  but 
rather  seems  to  increase  it.  The  man  who  fails  to  take 
suitable  care  of  a hired  horse  is  not  only  wanting  in 
humanity,  but  he  cannot  properly  set  up  any  great 
claim  to  thorough  honesty,  for  he  is  neglecting  an  ani- 


FEEDING  AND  DlilVING. 


241 


mal  that  is  endeavoring  to  serve  him,  and  wronging 
his  owner  out  of  part  of  the  consideration  for  its 
services. 

Again,  we  say  to  all  those  who  have  occasion  to 
travel  on  horseback,  or  in  private  carriages,  put  not 
your  faith  in  grooms  and  ostlers,  for  they  are  fallible, 
but  attend  personally  to  the  care  of  your  horse,  and  be 
sure  you  will  not  repent  it,  but  will  find  yourself 
doubly  repaid  for  the  little  trouble  by  finding  him 
come  out  bright,  fresh,  and  vigorous  in  the  morning, 
his  energies  renewed,  and  fully  able  and  willing  to 
serve  you. 

"When  stopping  for  the  night,  endeavor  to  secure  a 
good,  roomy,  and  quiet  stall,  not  too  close  and  con- 
fined, nor  yet  so  situated  that  a current  of  air  will  blow 
into  it ; see  that  there  are  no  holes  in  the  manger 
through  which  he  may  waste  a portion  of  his  food ; see 
that  the  floor  and  sides  are  strong  and  sound,  and  the 
latter  so  constructed  that  he  will  not  be  annoyed  by 
animals  in  the  neighboring  stalls.  Take  off  the  har- 
ness and  have  him  thoroughly  rubbed.  If  wet  with 
sweat,  whether  in  summer  or  winter,  do  not  leave  him 
until  perfectly  dry..  If  the  weather  is  warm  and  the 
roads  dusty,  have  the  lips,  nostrils,  and  eyes  wiped 
out  with  a damp  sponge ; nothing  is  more  grateful  to 
him,  and  anything  that  promotes  his  comfort  and  rest 
is  of  positive  service  to  him. 

If  the  horse  has  not  been  accustomed  to  the  harness 
regularly,  or  if  the  harness  is  one  in  which  he  has  not 
been  used,  examine  the  various  places  where  it  will 
be  likely  to  chafe  him,  particularly  the  shoulders.  K 
the  skin  is  anywhere  broken  during  the  first  day’s 
11 


242 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


drive,  be  sure  there  is  something  wrong  about  the  har- 
ness that  must  be  at  once  attended  to.  If  the  skin  has 
not  been  broken,  you  may  judge  whether  the  shoulders 
have  been  chafed  or  “scalded”  by  watching  the  drying 
of  the  hair.  If  there  are  any  spots  that  remain  wet 
after  the  surrounding  parts  are  dry,  it  is  chafed,  and 
the  shoulders  should  be  washed  in  cool  (but  not  cold) 
water  and  castile  soap,  the  soap  assisting  in  cleansing 
the  skin,  thus  opening  the  pores  and  promoting  a 
healthy  action.  Some  horsemen  wash  the  shoulders 
every  night,  but  we  do  no  think  it  generally  necessary. 

Before  putting  him  in  his  stall,  have  any  old  hay 
that  may  be  in  the  rack  or  manger  taken  out,  and  the 
manger  or  box  in  which  he  is  to  have  his  food  cleaned. 
If  you  have  driven  him  hard,  or  if  he  is  warm,  do  not 
feed  him  for  half  an  hour.  If  he  is  very  dry,  give  him 
three  or  four  swallows  of  water,  not  very  cold.  In 
half  an  hour,  give  him  six  or  eight  quarts  of  water, 
and  a little  bright,  clean  hay,  free  from  mould  or  dust. 
In  the  course  of  an  hour  offer  him  more  water,  and 
give  him  his  allowance  of  grain  and  more  hay.  See 
that  he  has  a good,  dry,  deep  bed,  for  the  horse  enjoys 
a good  soft  bed,  after  a hard  day^s  work,  as  well  as  his 
master.  Having  thus  seen  him  properly  cared  for, 
leave  him  to  rest. 

The  following  morning  do  not  feed  him,  or  any  way 
disturb  him  until  sunrise,  or  at  least  until  after  day- 
light. The  horse,  unless  very  tired,  rarely  lies  down 
until  after  midnight,  and  does  not  require  more  than 
from  three  to  five  hours  sleep,  and  this  he  will  usually 
take  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night. 

The  first  thing  in  the  morning  should  be  to  see  if 


FEEDING  AND  DRIVING. 


248 


he  has  eaten  up  all  the  feed  given  him  the  night  before. 
If  not,  he  should  be  fed  sparingly,  taking  care  to  re- 
move all  the  hay  and  grain  that  he  has  left  of  his  last 
night’s  feed.  Before  feeding,  offer  him  a little  water. 
If  he  drinks  freely,  and  eats  with  apparent  relish  his 
morning’s  allowance,  you  may  safely  conclude  that  he 
is  well,  and  that  his  previous  day’s  drive  has  not  in- 
jured him.  If  he  has  been  properly  groomed  over- 
night he  will  want  nothing  more  than  a light  brushing, 
and  in  an  hour  after  he  has  eaten  his  feed  he  may  be 
harnessed  and  commence  his  day’s  work. 

With  regard  to  the  proper  method  of  driving,  no 
rules  can  be  laid  down  that  will  enable  an  inexperi- 
enced person  to  drive  well,  practice  being  as  necessary 
to  enable  one  to  drive  well  as  to  write  well.  Still, 
some  general  rules  can  be  given  that  will  be  of  service 
to  the  new  beginner. 

With  regard  to  the  rate  at  which  the  horse  should 
be  driven,  little  can  be  said,  as  this  should  depend  on 
a variety  of  circumstances,  the  speed  of  the  animal,  his 
powers  of  endurance,  the  distance  to  be  travelled,  and 
the  urgency  of  haste  in  the  business  for  which  the 
journey  is  performed. 

Supposing  that  there  is  no  extraordinary  necessity 
of  haste,  and  that  the  journey  is  to  be  continued  for 
several  successive  days,  care  should  be  taken  not  to 
push  the  horse  the  first  two  or  three  days,  but  let  him 
get  seasoned  and  accustomed  to  his  work.  If  worked 
too  hard  the  first  two  days,  he  refuses  his  food,  be- 
comes dull  and  stupid,  loses  flesh  rapidly,  and  in  a 
short  time,  if  he  is  not  dangerously  sick,  he  is  entirely 
unable  to  work. 


244 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Whatever  distance  you  intend  to  drive  in  the  course 
of  the  day,  drive  moderately  for  the  first  hour ; many 
a fine  horse  is  ruined  by  being  driven  fast  on  a full 
stomach.  After  the  first  hour,  consider  the  distance 
you  have^o  go,  and  the  time  you  have  to  accomplisn 
it  in,  and  endeavor  to  drive  at  an  equal  rate.  Not  that 
you  are  to  drive  at  the  same  rate  up  hill  and  down, 
or  drive  each  mile  at  exactly  the  same  speed,  but  sup- 
posing the  general  character  of  the  road  to  be  the 
same  through  the  entire  distance,  endeavor  to  drive 
an  equal  number  of  miles  per  hour. 

Thus  suppose  you  have  sixty  miles  to  travel,  and 
have  nine  hours  to  perform  it  in,  drive  thirty  or  thirty- 
five  miles  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  per  hour,  then 
stop  for  an  hour,  or  an  hour  and  a half,  to  give  him 
food  and  rest.  Take  off  the  harness  and  have  him 
rubbed  with  straw  until  he  is  dry,  or  at  least  until  the 
dust  and  sweat  are  removed,  then  give  him  a little 
water  and  his  grain.  We  are  aware  that  most  travel- 
lers do  not  remove  the  harness  at  noon,  but  it  should 
alwaj^s  be  done,  especially  in  hot  weather. 

Too  much  time  must  not  be  spent  in  rubbing  and 
cleaning,  and  as  soon  as  sufficiently  cool,  the  horse 
should  have  his  feed,  for  this  and  rest  he  needs  more 
than  grooming.  Before  starting  in  the  afternoon,  offer 
him  a little  water.  Drive  as  in  the  morning,  except 
that  there  is  less  need  of  caution  for  the  first  hour,  and 
you  may  drive  at  the  usual  speed  for  the  entire  remain- 
ing distance. 

We  are  aware  that  it  has  been  sometimes  recom- 
mended to  pursue  an  entirely  different  course,  namely, 
to  drive  at  a high  speed  for  a few  hours,  and  then  give 


FEEDING  AND  DRIVING. 


245 


the  horse  a long  rest,  and  again  drive  at  the  same  high 
speed  for  the  balance  of  the  distance.  Thus,  in  per- 
forming a distance  of  sixty  miles  in  nine  hours,  they 
would  drive  thirty  miles  in  three  hours,  stop  three 
hours,  and  drive  the  remaining  thirty  miles  in  the 
remaining  three  hours. 

This  advice  would  seem  to  be  founded  on  the  belief 
that  it  is  the  number  of  hours  that  a horse  is  worked 
that  fatigues  him,  without  reference  to  the  speed ; 
indeed,  we  remember  to  have  seen  ^ this  principle 
broadly  and  distinctly  stated,  that  it  is  the  all-day 
work  that  knock  up  horses,  and  not  the  rate  at  which 
they  are  driven.”  This  seems  to  us  a great  and  pal- 
pable error. 

Let  us  consider  for  a moment  what  is  the  average 
rate  of  speed  of  the  race-horse  during  the  entire  time 
occupied  in  a repeating  race  of  four  miles.  Take,  for 
instance,  the  race  over  the  Union  Course,  Long  Island, 
for  the  Jockey  Club  purse  of  $600,  October  13,  1832. 
In  this  race  twenty  miles  were  run  in  41m.  40s.  actual 
running  time,  but  allowing  thirty  minutes  between 
each  heat,  which  is  the  shortest  time  allowed  for  cool- 
ing and  resting  the  horses,  and  the  total  time  occupied 
in  running  the  twenty  miles  was  2h.  41m.  40s.,  or  a 
little  less  than  eight  miles  per  hour.  *A  good  hack  or 
livery  horse  would  do  this,  and  show  few  signs  of 
having  been  driven.  It  may  be  said  that  this  is  an 
extreme  case ; very  true,  but  having  shown  that  our 
theory  is  correct  in  this  case,  may  we  not  properly 
claim  that  something  more  than  simple  assertion  is 
necessary  to  establish  its  unsoundness,  in  cases  where 
the  speed  is  indeed  less,  but  the  distance  greater.  But 


246 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


we  need  not  rest  tlie  question  here,  there  are  striking 
illustrations  of  the  soundness  of  our  theory ; that  the 
distance  and  time  in  which  it  must  be  accomplished 
being  given,  every  portion  of  the  distance  should  be 
accomplished,  in  a corresponding  proportion  of  the 
time,  nights  and  the  necessary  time  for  giving  one 
feed  at  noon  being  of  course  excepted. 

The  truck  horses  in  the  cities  are  worked  all  day 
and  every  day,  in  rain  or  sunshine,  yet  how  much 
better  their  condition,  and  how  much  longer  they  last, 
than  the  city  livery  horses.  The  latter  are  driven  but 
a small  portion  of  their  time,  but  are  driven  at  a high 
speed.  The  stage-driver  who  rushes  his  team  over 
one  half  the  road,  and  walks  them  over  the  remainder, 
will  never  make  “good  time,”  for  his  team  cannot 
make  up  by  high  speed  the  time  he  has  idled  away  on 
the  road,  or  at  his  stopping  places,  and  the  appearance 
of  his  horses  will  bear  ample  evidence  that  the  attempt 
to  do  so  has  been  injurious. 

The  great  art  of  driving  horses  long  distances  at 
good  speed  without  injury,  consists  in  keeping  them 
steady  at  a given  pace  without  fretting  or  worrying 
them,  restraining  them  when  inclined  to  go  too  fast, 
urging  them  when  necessary,  and  doing  either  without 
annoying  them.  * Other  things  being  equal,  the  horse 
who  does  his  work  in  a quiet  steady  way,  will  last 
much  longer  than  the  one  which  frets  and  is  restless. 

If  your  horse  is  high  tempered,  and  inclined  to 
travel  faster  than  you  think  best  for  him,  you  cannot 
take  too  much  pains  in  starting  him  easily  and  quietly. 
If  he  takes  hold  of  the  bit  and  is  inclined  to  push  off 
at  too  high  speed,  keep  a firm  but  steady  pull  on  the 


FEEDING  AND  DRIVING. 


247 


bit,  but  you  must  rely  principally  upon  the  voice  to 
quiet  him.  Speak  to  him  in  a calm,  gentle  and  sooth- 
ing tone,  and  you  will  be  surprised  at  the  effect  it  will 
have  upon  him  There  are  but  few  horses  which  in  a 
short  time  will  not  settle  quietly  into  a walk  in  the 
course  of  half  an  hour,  under  mild  and  soothing  treat- 
ment. If  your  horse  is  a little  dull,  and  needs  urging, 
drive  him  with  a constant,  though  gentle  pressure  upon 
the  bit.  When  he  needs  urging,  speak  to  him  in  a 
tone  that  he  will  not  fail  to  hear,  and  enforce  instant 
and  prompt  obedience  with  the  whip.  Be  careful  not 
to  urge  him  by  speaking  to  him  when  you  do  not 
intend  to  insist  upon  his  paying  attention  to  you. 
Never  use  the  whip  for  any  other  purpose  than  to 
punish  the  horse  for  not  minding  you.  Nothing  will 
sooner  perfect  a horse  in  dulness  and  stupidity  than 
constant  tapping  with  the  whip,  and  constant  urging 
with  the  voice ; he  soon  gets  so  accustomed  to  both 
that  he  cares  nothing  for  either,  and  the  most  vigorous 
twitching  of  the  reins — the  most  authoritative  com- 
mands, and  the  most  industrious  though  mild  applica- 
tions of  the  whip,  result  in  nothing  but  a slight  frisk 
of  the  tail  or  a gentle  toss  of  the  head.  Although  the 
greatest  art  in  driving  upon  the  road  consists  in  driv- 
ing at  the  required  speed  without  fretting  the  horse, 
the  knowledge  of  the  proper  time  to  urge  or  to  restrain 
him  is  almost  equally  indispensable.  This,  of  course, 
will  depend  upon  the  smoothness  of  the  road,  the 
ascent  or  descent  of  the  ground,  and  the  weight  car- 
ried ; much  will  depend  upon  the  animal. 

Owing  to  difference  in  form  and  gait,  some  horses 
that  climb  hills  with  difficulty  can  descend  them  rap- 


248 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


idly  and  easily,  and  again  others  prefer  to  walk  where- 
ever  the  ground  descends  rapidly,  but  will  trot  up 
ordinary  hills  to  the  very  crest  with  little  apparent 
effort.  This  difference  in  the  form  and  gait  of  the 
horse  should  be  constantly  borne  in  mind,  and  he 
should  be  allowed  to  go  slowly  where  it  is  evidently 
difficult  for  him  to  move  fast.  As  a general  rule,  the 
horse  should  be  made  to  walk  wherever  the  ground 
ascends  or  descends  rapidly.  If  driven  rapidly  up 
steep  hills,  he  is  almost  exhausted  when  he  reaches 
the  top ; and  if  driven  rapidly  down,  then,  it  is  dan- 
gerous to  the  passengers,  because  his  footing  is  insecure, 
and  he  is  liable  to  fall ; and  if  the  practice  be  continued, 
it  will  break  up  the  stoutest  fore  limbs,  by  the  force 
with  which  the  feet  come  upon  the  ground. 

Where  the  surface  of  the  road  is  smooth,  and  the 
ground  slightly  descending,  the  horse  should  be  driven 
at  a tolerably  rapid  rate,  especially  if  he  has  a heavy 
load,  for  upon  this  ground  the  load,  whether  great  or 
small,  will  move  easily,  and  when  the  load  is  heavy  the 
horse  will  be  compelled  to  walk  up  most  of  the  rising 
ground.  When  the  load  is  light,  and  the  speed  eight 
miles  per  hour  or  more,  the  horse  should  be  kept  at  a 
moderate  trot  on  ascending  ground,  except  up  steep 
hills,  for  it  will  distress  him  less  to  trot  over  ground 
slightly  ascending  than  to  walk  over  such  ground,  and 
make  up  the  time  by  increased  speed  on  the  level  and  ^ 
descending.  ^ 

When  the  road  is  rough  and  uneven,  endeavor  to 
shun  rough  spots.  To  do  this  well,  keep  constant  and 
careful  watch  of  the  track,  and  avoid  the  bad  spots  by 
turning  a little  before  you  get  up  to  them,  instead  of 


FEEDING  AND  DRIVING. 


249 


waiting  until  you  are  close  upon  them,  and  then  pull 
your  horse  out  of  the  road  with  a sudden  jerk,  that 
irritates  and  frets  him,  and  injures  his  mouth.  It  is 
better  to  take  the  jolt,  unless  it  is  dangerous,  than  to 
do  this.  After  your  horse  has  once  become  accustomed 
to  turning  out  for  the  bad  spots,  it  will  be  very  little 
trouble  to  do  it,  and  it  will  be  much  easier  both  for 
the  horse  and  the  passengers. 

Did  our  space  permit,  we  should  like  to  say  much 
more  upon  this  subject,  as  it  is  one  in  which  we  take 
much  interest ; but  must  content  ourselves  with  the 
imperfect  directions  above  given,  repeating  the  remark 
we  made  at  the  commencement  of  this  chapter,  that 
however  full  and  correct  the  directions,  no  one  can 
learn  to  drive  without  practice,  any  more  than  he  can 
learn  to  write  simply  by  reading  an  able  treatise  on 
penmanship. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


HINTS  TO  PURCHASERS  OF  MORGAN  OR  OTHER  HORSES. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  any  descriptions  can 
be  written,  or  any  rules  laid  down,  that  will  give  the 
keen,  discriminating  eye,  the  fine  perceptions  with 
regard  to  form  and  motion,  the  rapid,  searching  glance 
at  defects,  that  the  true  and  practiced  horseman  seems 
to  realize  at  the  first  view,  enabling  him  to  form  a 
tolerably  correct  judgment  of  the  value  of  an  animal 
almost  as  soon  as  he  sees  it;  some  suggestions,  however, 
can  be  made  which  will  aid  ordinary  purchasers. 

Before  a man  attempts  to  purchase  a horse,  he  should 
first  determine  for  himself  what  kind  of  horse  he  re- 
quires, both  as  to  size  and  general  qualities,  since  the 
value  of  the  horse  to  his  owner  depends  very  much 
on  his  adaptation  to  the  kind  of  business  required  of 
him.  As  to  size,  we  think  all  experience  shows  that 
medium  size  is  the  best  for  ordinary  use ; such  horses 
we  shall  find  possessed  of  the  most  compact  forms,  the 
most  rugged  constitutions,  the  most  nimble,  easy,  and 
graceful  motions.  Though  it  is  very  true  that  a good 
horse  may  have  a bad  color,  yet  as  a bad  color  is  to 
some,  perhaps  most  buyers,  a serious  objection,  such 
should  be  avoided.  White,  light  gray,  light  sorrel, 
cream-colored,  and  spotted,  are  the  most  objectionable, 
(260) 


BLACK  JACK. 


m 


bm  4mmaAi>  fnOi  ipf 

iiinnii  l4t  i>iOi-jo^  ytliwwvjiiff  fe>fr*f-,  *nf«  gyn^ 

fit  »»/m  jfctiy#  ?««  n-  •»«  •.  

V JCir>fti«0  w»l  «i  »r.  >|^>*»  ^ ' 

*Ol’  It  -isf  ^ 

jNUSt'j^'A  ih  J’Mftm  .ii'i'J,  V'ivfj*’  .•  'r'O'# 

jaie>«  ot  ««<>-  :,-f.  h%b^h9«  «t  .-•tffftv/-  <>ri  i*no^ 

#0O'i«-ti<ft(i  oifofti  6*d' 

fitw.atf  mn:>  iK^n^^rtrrls  » ^ 

so#  l|;fr  Kjai^MltMb  (4 1«  g^turj^T  i^fdkfrH 
km  m»HlmmMkml  <n  « titd  JaK»inoqo«j  e'Jsmini* 

ynain  lasT  * ^ 

iwi  fc»H»hra«p^ 

HVBUaiai  Jmcb  l«s«oio  aaifif  wftiiWfifda 

■ ■ --■"■  - '■•  - - '-' ■ ■■  '■  :--aw»kAiTff(*i;if^  ■ 

m ho  ^awairf'.ii/iTfl  vii*oi«iso<if^  r;,-?  »■  • 

^•»<OSth0^OWO  «y  )#fru  <4  f«rw>  ■»  to  ;1  _* 

tutrwo  o<i#'^Cir  s»l“  'v4/ui‘TW“>  -“uft 

JiM#iw  Trsflfto.  -«(  t .;  < • jr  ■ .■■■'■'  >i  t y. ), ' 

JTffVr-^  ,Lyf0fft  4^  *)f  ffbr  tt 

0*«0F»  fistuoft:  Y^fff  jf^  jiiMfglife 

aooaawvttbjU  « T.trs-«  - 

}j«rf  It 

Miu<[  'Sd#  4i4il4'^iseqxF>  str%  {raft  )^tf^'' 

i{fw  td  tooit  doM  ok  ?iuf 

♦Kf»w^#o«4ifi>c.rfrl^  dg/Sddi  16 


HINTS  TO  PUKCHASERS, 


251 


and  should  be  avoided.  Bay,  chestnut,  black,  and 
dark  brown,  are  almost  universally  esteemed  the  best, 
and  horses  of  these  colors  are  worth  more  in  every 
market  than  horses  of  the  colors  before  named. 

When  the  purchaser  is  unaccustomed  to  horses,  we 
would  advise  him,  after  having  determined  what  kind 
of  a horse  he  wants,  to  engage  some  one  to  assist  him 
who  has  had  more  experience,  especially  if  he  is  about 
to  purchase  of  a stranger,  for  in  the  latter  case  he  will 
not  only  be  liable  to  misjudge  as  to  the  justness  of  the 
animal’s  proportions,  but  also  as  to  his  soundness  and 
vices,  for  a vast  many  faults  and  defects  may  by  artful 
jockeys  be  concealed  from  the  inexperienced  eye,  and 
sometimes  even  from  the  closest  and  most  intelligent 
examination. 

If,  however,  the  purchaser  can  avail  himself  of  no 
such  assistance,  or  chooses  to  trust  to  his  own  judgment, 
he  cannot  be  too  cautious  or  circumspect.  When  you 
enter  the  stable,  observe  carefully  the  way  tlie  owner 
approaches  his  horse ; if,  as  soon  as  he  comes  within 
hearing,  he  speaks  to  him  in  a loud,  sharp  voice,  that 
makes  the  horse  spring  up  in  his  stall  as  if  frightened, 
look  out  for  some  defect  in  his  limbs.  If  much  lame, 
it  will  be  seen  when  he  is  moved,  but  if  it  is  very 
slight,  you  may  not  then  notice  it.  If  he  comes  up  to 
the  horse  very  carefully,  and  seems  a little  cautious 
about  going  into  the  stall  where  he  is,  you  may  justly 
suspect  he  is  not  perfectly  kind  and  pleasant-tempered. 
If  he  approaches  the  horse  in  an  easy,  careless,  but 
quiet  way,  you  may  reasonably  expect  that  the  horse 
has  no  such  vices  to  hide,  and  you  will  not  suspect  him 
of  lameness,  though  it  should  not  prevent  your  watch* 


252 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ing  carefully  every  motion  of  his  limbs  to  see  if  you 
can  detect  it.  Mark  how  the  horse  stands,  how  he  is 
hitched,  and  what  kind  of  a halter  he  has  on.  If  he 
stands  with  one  of  his  fore-feet  fa:r  in  advance  of  the 
other,  look  out  for  founder.  If  he  is  fastened  with 
more  than  ordinary  care,  see  if  you  can  observe  any 
signs  of  his  having  attempted  to  untie  his  halter  with 
his  teeth.  If  the  halter  is  fastened  very  tight  round 
the  throat,  he  may  have  a trick  of  slipping  it  off,  or  he 
may  be  a cribber.  A large  strap,  buckled  close  round 
the  throat,  will  often  prevent  cribbing. 

Youatt  considers  crib-biting  unsoundness;  and  it  is, 
at  all  events,  a very  bad  habit,  that  materially  injures 
the  sale  of  a horse.  If  the  manger  shows  signs  of 
being  bitten  by  the  horse,  do  not  purchase  the  animal 
until  you  have  seen  him  eat.  The  teeth  of  an  old 
‘‘cribber”  almost  invariably  show  signs  of  this  habit, 
being  much  worn  on  the  outer  edge,  but  in  young 
horses  it  will  not  always  be  noticed.  When  the  horse 
is  turned  out  of  his  stall  and  faces  the  light,  observe 
whether  he  shuns  it,  and  partially  closes  his  eyes ; if  so, 
his  eyes  are  weak ; if,  on  the  contrary,  he  looks  boldly 
about,  with  a bright  and  lively  expression,  his  eyes 
are  not  only  good,  but  you  may  infer  that  he  is  both 
spirited  and  tractable.  Examine  the  head  carefully. 
If  it  is  thoroughly  good,  light,  lean,  and  graceful,  with 
tapering,  sharp-pointed  ears,  ever  moving  and  restless, 
the  eyes  animated  and  prominent,  the  forehead  broad, 
the  muzzle  firm,  the  nostrils  large,  and  the  whole  well 
set  upon  the  neck,  you  may  be  pretty  sure  that  it  be- 
longs to  a good  horse. 

K the  eye  is  not  bright  and  lively,  it  should  be 


HINTS  TO  PURCHASERS. 


258 


carefully  examined,  especially  if  the  animal  is  from  the 
Western  or  Southern  States,  where  diseases  of  the  eyes 
are  more  common  than  at  the  North  and  East.  Some- 
times the  eye  will  look  very  natural,  and  the  horse 
appear  bright  and  well,  yet  be  perfectly  blind.  If  the 
horse  is  entirely  blind  you  may  easily  detect  it,  for 
though  some  horses  move  about  very  easily  and  hand- 
ily when  perfectly  blind,  you  will  soon  notice  the 
defect,  if  you  watch  him  and  suffer  him  to  move  about 
freely.  If  you  are  suspicious  that,  although  not  en- 
tirely blind,  his  sight  is  defective,  you  may  determine 
it  by  passing  some  small  object  like  a stalk  of  hay 
rapidly  before  the  eye,  and  at  a short  distance  from  it, 
taking  care  that  the  substance  be  not  large  enough  to 
create  any  perceptible  motion  of  the  atmosphere,  for  a 
blind  horse  will  wink  at  the  least  unnatural  current 
of  air. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  head  is  a pretty  sure 
index  of  the  age  of  the  animal,  and  the  inexperienced 
buyer  will  do  well  to  rely  as  much  upon  this  general 
appearance,  as  upon  the  appearance  of  the  teeth ; for 
with  a saw  and  a firing  iron,  old  teeth  may  be  made 
to  resemble  so  closely  those  of  a young  horse,  as  to 
deceive  even  pretty  good  judges.  In  the  old  horse 
the  eyes  are  usually  a little  sunken,  and  the  hollows 
over  the  eyes  are  deepened,  the  lips  are  less  firm  and 
close,  nd  the  mouth  shows  the  long  use  of  the  bit. 

If  the  head  is  satisfactory,  next  examine  the  legs, 
ee  that  they  are  not  too  long,  are  wide,  flat^  hony^  and 
free  from  flesh  below  the  knees  and  hocks.  When 
the  muscles  are  well  developed,  and  stand  well  out 
from  the  bone,  and  are  free  from  any  fat  or  meat,  they 


254 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


can  be  distinctly  traced  by  the  eye  through  the  skin. 
See  that  the  horse  stands  squarely  and  equally  upon 
them,  that  they  are  neither  stretched  too  far  apart  nor 
gathered  too  much  under  him.  Examine  closely 
whether  there  be  any  unnatural  enlargements  or 
bunches  on  either  leg.  If  none  can  be  detected  by  the 
eye,  then  pass  the  half-closed  hand  carefully  down 
each  one,  pressing  the  leg  moderately,  to  determine 
whether  there  are  any  bunches  or  scars  concealed  by 
the  hair. 

Look  carefully  at  the  hocks  for  spavins,  curbs  or 
thoroughpin,  for  although  the  latter  do  not  constitute 
unsoundness,  yet  they  are  objectionable.  Pass  the 
hand  carefully  down  the  back  sinews  to  detect  any 
unevenness  in  the  muscle.  If  any  little  bunches  are 
found,  or  the  cord  is  anywhere  enlarged,  examine  care- 
fully for  any  scar  that  may  indicate  the  injury  was  an 
external  one.  If  there  are  no  signs  of  any  such  injurj^, 
and  especially  if  the  muscle  at  this  point  feels  sore, 
reject  the  animal.  The  back  sinews  have  been  strained, 
if  not  ruptured,  and  there  is  little  chance  that  he  will 
ever  be  able  to  endure  hard  service.  Search  for 
bunches  on  the  inside  of  the  fetlocks  ; if  you  find  them, 
or  scars,  you  will  attribute  them  to  the  horse’s  cutting. 
If  the  scars  are  old,  and  the  horse  being  in  very  high 
flesh,  yet  travels  very  close,  it  will  be  wise  to  reject 
him,  for  in  ordinary  flesh  he  will  be  likely  to  cut,  and 
this  is  one  of  the  most  unpleasant  defects  in  the  horse, 
and  one  that  it  is  very  difficult  to  remedy.  Press  the 
hand  closely  and  carefully  around  the  pastern,  for  ring- 
bone, or  clingfasts,  that  are  just  commencing  to  form, 
will  be  detected  more  easily  by  the  hand  than  the  eye ; 


HINTS  TO  PURCHASERS. 


255 


this  is  the  more  important,  as  ringbone  is  one  of  the 
worst  kinds  of  unsoundness,  and  the  horse  may  not  at 
all  times,  and  in  all  instances,  be  sufficiently  lame  to 
enable  the  buyer  to  detect  it. 

The  knees  are  often  too  carelessly  examined.  It  is 
not  enough  that  there  is  no  trembling  of  the  joint,  that 
it  shuts  back  well,  and  is  well  shaped.  If  there  are 
any  bunches,  hard  or  soft,  or  any  scars  in  front,  it  is  a 
pretty  sure  sign  that  the  horse  is  a stumbler,  and  is 
unsafe.  Just  below  the  knees  and  upon  the  inside  of 
the  leg  look  for  splints ; if  small  and  removed  from  the 
joint,  they  may  in  no  way  affect  the  usefulness  of  the 
animal,  but  they  are  unsightly  and  objectionable. 

The  feet  require  the  closest  scrutiny.  Eeject  horses 
that  have  split  or  flat  hoofs,  as  they  will  be  fit  only 
for  slow  work.  Where  the  feet  are  high  and  narrow 
at  the  heels,  it  is  a serious  objection,  as  such  feet  are 
very  liable  to  founder  and  other  diseases.  The  legs 
and  feet  proving  satisfactory  thus  far,  take  a look  at 
the  body.  If  the  ribs  are  round,  the  back  short,  and 
his  wind  good,  little  more  need  be  required. 

To  determine  the  soundness  of  the  wind  is  some- 
times difficult,  especially  if  the  horse  is  in  high  condi- 
tion and  has  been  dieted  and  medicated  with  the  view 
of  concealing  some  defect  in  it.  The  best  way  to  de- 
termine this  is  to  make  him  trot  briskly  about  one 
hundred  rods,  and  as  soon  as  he  has  done  this  let  him 
stand  perfectly  still  and  watch  closely  his  breathing. 
If  he  breathes  easily,  and  without  any  apparent  effort, 
and  especially  if  as  soon  as  he  stops,  he  draws  one  or 
two  long  breaths  that  fill  the  lungs  to  their  utmost 
capacity  without  any  appearance  of  distress,  his  wind 


256 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


may  be  pronounced  good ; but  if  there  is  the  least 
evidence  of  painful  respiration,  or  catching  for  breath, 
something  is  wrong,  and  the  animal  should  be  rejected. 
Heaves,  or  broken-wind,  is  a common  disease  at  the 
East,  but  at  the  West  it  is  comparatively  very  rare; 
hence  the  purchaser  will  be  more  on  his  guard  to  detect 
the  disease  in  a horse  raised  at  the  East  than  in  one 
raised  at  the  West. 

While  the  horse  is  moving,  notice  carefully  his  ac- 
tion, and  to  do  this  take  such  a position  that  he  can 
move  by  you  on  level  ground,  and  at  a sufficient  dis- 
tance from  you  to  give  a good  view  of  him.  Notice 
particularly  the  action  of  the  forelegs,  see  that  the  joint 
at  the  shoulder  plays  freely,  that  the  feet  are  not  raised 
too  high,  that  he  reaches  out  boldly  in  his  step  with 
his  forelegs,  and  throws  his  weight  freely  upon  them. 
If  he  does  this,  you  may  be  pretty  sure  the  feet  are 
sound  and  good,  and  the  shoulders  unhurt.  On  the 
contrary,  if  the  horse  does  not  carry  his  feet  well  for- 
ward, but  takes  a short,  mincing  step,  and  puts  down 
his  feet  cautiously,  they  are  unsound ; and  if  the  legs 
seem  stiff,  and  tied  up  at  the  shoulders,  he  is  chest- 
foundered.  These  things  should  be  carefully  observed 
when  the  horse  is  first  moved,  for  if  he  is  but  a little 
stiff  in  his  shoulders,  the  stiffness  generally  disappears 
entirely  after  a little  exercise.  ; 

After  having  carefully  noticed  these  things,  and  also  . 
his  general  style  and  appearance,  take  such  a position 
that  you  can  watch  the  movement  of  his  feet  as  he 
comes  directly  towards  you  and  goes  directly  from 
you  ; see  that  he  carries  forward  his  feet  in  a straight 
line,  and  that  he  does  not  travel  too  close  or  too  wide, 


HINTS  TO  PUKCHASERS. 


257 


for  if  very  close  lie  will  be  apt  to  cut  or  interfere,  and 
if  too  wide,  his  gait  will  be  labored  and  awkward. 

While  the  horse  is  moving,  see  if  he  hesitates  to 
turn  short  and  quick ; if  he  does,  and  appears  in  the 
least  stiff  in  the  back,  you  conclude  that  he  has 
been  strained  there,  and  a horse  that  has  been  once 
severely  strained  in  his  back,  rarely,  if  ever,  fully 
recovers,  and  is  unfit  for  any  kind  of  business ; but 
if  the  back  is  such  as  we  have  described,  there  will  be 
little  danger  of  this  complaint. 

These  defects,  at  which  we  have  glanced,  by  no 
means  comprise  all  the  diseases  or  defects  of  the  horse, 
nor  are  the  methods  we  have  pointed  out  in  all  cases 
the  only  ones.  We  have  aimed  only  to  glance  at  the 
most  serious  and  ordinary  defects,  and  point  out  the 
simplest  means  of  detecting  them.  Some  quite  com- 
mon defects  we  have  not  noticed,  as,  for  instance, 
string-halt.  This  is  not  considered  unsoundness  in 
ordinary  circumstances,  and  where  it  is  so  bad  as  to 
become  seriously  objectionable,  it  cannot  fail  to  be 
noticed  by  the  most  careless  observer.  To  some,  this 
kind  of  examination  may  seem  tedious  and  laborious, 
and  to  the  inexperienced  horseman  it  may  be  so ; but 
the  horseman  of  taste,  with  a practiced  eye,  will  deter- 
mine the  freedom  of  an  animal  from  the  objections  we 
have  referred  to,  in  a small  fraction  of  the  time  it  has 
taken  us  to  describe  them.  We  have  said  nothing 
upon  those  subjects  that  are  merely  matters  of  taste, 
as  to  enter  into  a discussion  of  them  would  occupy 
more  space  than  we  could  devote  to  it. 

One  wishes  a horse  that  shall  have  a bold,  resolute 
style  of  action,  and  a high  temper,  that  prompts  him 


258 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


to  keep  up  a constant  and  heavy  pull  upon  the  reins. 
Another  wishes  a horse  of  less  spirit,  with  a quiet, 
pleasant  temper,  and  a mouth  that  only  feels  the  bit, 
that  is  never  restless,  never  pulls,  and  so  gentle  that 
his  wife  and  children  can  manage  him.  Yet  he  does 
not  want  a dull,  stupid  animal ; on  the  contrary,  one 
that  is  bright  and  lively,  and  that  when  gently  urged 
will  move  off  at  a lively  pace. 

One  wants  a horse  that  is  round  and  smooth,  with 
soft  hair,  a beautiful  color,  and  a proud,  showy  style, 
that  will  attract  the  admiration  of  his  neighbors,  but 
cares  little  about  its  speed  upon  the  road,  or  its  powers 
of  endurance.  While  his  next  door  neighbor  cares  far 
less  for  the  showy  style  and  the  beautiful  color,  and 
values  his  horse  solely  on  account  of  his  useful  quali- 
ties. In  short,  no  rules  can  be  laid  down  that  will 
determine  the  excellence  of  the  animal  in  these  respects, 
as  so  much  depends  upon  the  precise  service  which  is 
demanded  of  him,  and  the  taste  of  the  purchaser. 

Although  our  peiople  differ  much  in  their  opinion 
as  to  the  color,  style  of  movement,  &c.,  of  their  buggy 
horses,  yet  the  anxiety  to  own  a free,  nimble  driver,  is 
nearly  universal,  and  might  almost  be  styled  a national 
characteristic. 

But  the  passion  for  horses  is  co-extensive  with  man’s 
acquaintance  with  them,  and  is  confined  to  no  nation, 
no  portion  of  the  human  family ; indeed,  there  are  com- 
paratively few  persons  who  take  no  interest  in  his  his- 
tory, no  pleasure  in  training  or  using  him. 

Other  animals  may  be  as  useful  to  man,  but  they 
do  not  so  lay  hold  of  human  affections  and  sympathies. 
He  is  at  once  his  companion  and  servant  in  his  long 


HINTS  TO  PURCHASERS. 


259 


and  weary  journeys.  With  the  same  patience  and 
unflinching  courage,  he  carries  his  rider  safely  over 
the  scorching  sands  of  the  desert,  or  treads  with  care- 
ful step  the  icy  footpaths  of  the  mountains.  He  waits 
with  silent  patience  his  master’s  pleasure,  and  moves 
only  at  his  bidding.  Heat  and  cold  do  not  shake  his 
courage,  hunger  and  thirst  do  not  drive  him  to  rebel- 
lion. The  soothing  sound  of  his  master’s  voice  stills 
his  restlessness  when  he  wishes  him  to  be  quiet,  and 
the  cheering,  encouraging  tones  of  the  same  voice 
rouse  him  to  the  noblest  efforts  to  do  his  will. 


CHi\.PTER  XV. 


The  following  pedigrees  and  description  of  stallions, 
it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  comprise  only  a small 
portion  of  the  total  number  that  have  been  and  are 
now  bred  from.  But  though  thus  incomplete,  we  be- 
lieve the  list  comprises  all  the  grandsons  of  the  Justin 
Morgan,  of  any  note.  Of  some  of  these  we  have  been 
able  to  learn  but  little,  though  we  have  spared  no 
pains  to  obtain  as  full  and  reliable  a history  and  de- 
scription of  them  as  possible.  The  difficulty  of  col- 
lecting such  facts,  scattered  over  a wide  extent  of 
country,  rarely  published,  and  often  unchronicled,  save 
in  the  memories  of  individuals,  can  never  be  fully  un- 
derstood, unless  by  those  who  have  been  engaged  in 
some  similar  undertaking.  Although  we  have  made 
every  exertion  to  render  these  pedigrees  and  descrip- 
tions reliable,  and  believe  they  will  prove  in  the  main 
correct,  yet  there  are  so  many  ways  in  which  errors 
may  creep  in,  and  so  many  causes  of  confusion,  that 
we  dare  not  assert  that  they  are  perfectly  accurate. 

The  two  most  fruitful  causes  of  error  and  confusion 
are,  the  use  of  some  common  name  to  designate  differ- 
ent animals;  and  second,  the  frequent  changes  that 
have  been  made  in  the  name  of  the  same  animal. 

(260) 


n F 1'  o R D M O R G A N , JR. 


‘ 'i.  A- 


ff TP 

• -T 


. iO*  * 


./#  |.’<i  - 


*l4*  * 


PEDIGREES. 


261 


Thus  there  seems  to  be  no  end  to  the  young  Black 
Hawks,  young  Bulrushes,  and  other  similar  names. 
There  seems  to  be  a perfect  mania  for  names  that  have 
been  distinguished,  as  if  it  in  some  way  enhanced  the 
value  of  the  animal.  Again,  some  animals  seem  to 
have  changed  names  as  often  as  they  changed  owners, 
and  even  some  that  were  always  owned  by  one  person 
are  yet  known  by  several  different  names.  The  Eoyal 
Morgan  is  known  in  Maine  as  Morgan  Battler;  in 
some  parts  of  Vermont,  as  the  Crane  horse;  and  in 
others,  as  the  Steele  horse ; and  by  some  as  the  Cham- 
berlain colt ; many  persons  who  know  him  under  one 
of  these  names  never  heard  of  either  of  the  others. 

Where  we  have  described  more  than  one  animal  of 
the  same  name,  we  have  numbered  them  in  the  order 
in  which  they  were  foaled.  Thus  we  have  Green 
Mountain,”  and  “ Green  Mountain  second.”  The  form- 
er sired  by  ‘‘Sherman,”  and  the  latter  by  “Gifford.” 
Many  persons  who  know  the  latter,  never  heard  of 
the  former,  and  hence  the  necessity  of  distinguishing 
them  as  we  have  done. 

The  height  and  weight  is  not  always  the  result  of 
actual  measurement,  and  consequently  will  not  be  in 
all  cases  perfectly  correct.  Where  two  estimates  have 
been  given  us  of  the  height  or  weight  of  the  same  ani- 
mal, we  have  invariably  adopted  the  lowest,  deeming 
it  better  to  err  in  this  direction  than  to  overstate  the 
size.  We  shall  feel  obliged  to  any  one  who  will  inform 
us  of  any  mistakes  they  may  discover,  and  should  a 
second  edition  be  called  for,  we  shall  be  most  happy 
to  correct  them. 


262 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


ASHUELOT  MORGAN 

Was.  foaled  in  June,  1845,  the  property  of  Ezekiel  Flint,  of  Win- 
chester, N.  H.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g 
sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  formerly  owned 
in  Superior,  C.  E.,  and  sired  by  Eagle.  Ashuelot  Morgan  is  a 
chestnut,  with  silver-colored  mane  and  tail,  both  hind  feet  white  up 
to  the  fetlock.  He  is  16  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,315  lbs. 

Although  very  large,  he  is  compact,  moves  in  good  style,  has 
excellent  action  for  a horse  of  his  size,  and  is  a favorite  parade 
horse.  In  1855  he  received  the  first  premium  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire State  Agricultural  Society.  He  is  now  owned  by  Uberto 
Bowen,  Esq.,  of  Richmond,  N.  H. 

ALLEN  HORSE 

Was  bred  by  Pliny  Allen,  of  Lyme,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Bulrush, 
g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Color,  blood  bay,  15  hands  high,  weight, 
1,000  lbs.  His  reputation  as  a stock  horse  is  good.  He  is  now 
owned  by  Jonathan  Currier,  of  Hanover,  N.  H. 

ALBAN  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  September,  1839,  the  property  of  Colonel  John 
Hackett,  of  Hancock,  Yt.  Sired  by  Hackett  horse,  g sire,  Giflbrd, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a gray, 
sired  by  Bliss  horse.  His  color  is  gray,  spotted  with  chestnut  and 
bay,  is  14J  hands  high,  and  weighs  950  lbs.  He  is  a good  horse  ; 
his  stock  come  to  maturity  at  an  early  age,  and  sell  well.  When 
four  months  old.  Col.  Hackett  sold  him  to  Wm.  Alban,  of  Ran- 
dolph, Yt.  Mr.  Alban  kept  him  till  he  was  seven  years  old,  and 
sold  him  to  Mr.  Skinner,  of  Royalton,  Yt.  Mr.  Skinner  sold  him 
to  Lewis  Gilman,  of  Bradford,  Yt.,  and  he  to  Leonard  Kibbel,  of 
the  same  place,  who  now  ownes  him. 

ANDREWS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  William  R.  Andrews,  of 
Derby,  Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a bay,  14  hands  high,  sired  by  Woodbury. 

Andrews  horse  is  a dark  bay,  14 J hands  high,  weighs  1,000  lbs., 


PEDIGREES. 


263 


and  is  a good  moving  horse.  He  is  still  owned  by  Mr.  Andrews, 
at  Derby,  Yt. 

AMERICAN  EAGLE 

Was  foaled  May  16th,  1852,  the  property  of  Joshua  Saunderson, 
of  Petersham,  Mass.  Sired  by  Black  Morgan,  g sire,  Morgan  Em- 
pire, g g sire.  Green  Mountain  2d,  g g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Jet  black,  15j  hands 
high,  weighs  1,070  lbs.  Good  style  and  action,  spirited  and  grace- 
ful. Now  owned  by  Joshua  Saunderson,  Pittsfield,  Mass.  Dam 
said  to  be  an  English  mare,  from  a horse  imported  into  Greenfield, 
Mass. 

ANDREW  JACKSON 

Was  foaled  June  18th,  1852.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Lady  Jenkins,  who  took  the 
first  premium  at  the  State  Fair,  R.  I.,  in  1855.  Andrew  Jackson  is 
jet  black,  and  weighs  1,050  lbs.  He  is  a well-shaped  and  fine  mov- 
ing horse.  He  received  a premium  at  the  United  States  Fair  in 
Boston,  1855,  also  at  the  Rhode  Island  State  Fair,  and  Worcester 
Co.  Fair,  Mass.  This  horse  is  now  owned  by  Harrison  Bacon,  of 
Barre,  Mass. 

ADDISON 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  John  Jackson,  of  Brandon,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  celebrated  Hamilton  mare.  Ruby,  purchased  by  Mr.  J ackson 
when  four  years  old  for  $750. 

Addison  is  16  hands  high,  weighs  1,175  lbs.,  is  jet  black,  with 
heavy  mane  and  tail,  high,  bold  style  and  good  movement  for  a horse 
of  his  size.  Now  owned  by  Z.  Nearing,  of  Orwell,  Yt.  He  received 
the  first  premium  in  his  class  at  the  Fair  of  the  Yermont  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  in  1855. 

ARABIAN  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  Epaphro  Seymour,  of  BraL 
tleborough,  Y t.  Sired  by  Billy  Root,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  Old  Jenny,  sired  by  Sherman,  g dam,  by  Arab,  a 
thorough-bred  Arabian  horse,  owned  by  Col,  Jonas  Blake,  of  Brat- 


264 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


tleborough,  Yt.  This  colt  is  chestnut,  and  exhibits  in  a high  degree 
the  valuable  qualities  of  the  Morgan  and  Arabian.  He  is  now  owned 
by  Horatio  Seymour,  Jr.,  and  Dr.  M.  M.  Seymour  in  Buffalo,  Erie 
County,  N.  Y. 

BULRUSH 

Was  foaled  in  1812  or  1813,  the  property  of  Moses  Belknap,  sired 
by  Justin  Morgan.  See  Chapter  YH. 

BULRUSH  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1845,  the  property  of  Alvin  Hovey,  of  Brookfield, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Clarke  horse,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  sired  by  Morgan  Eagle.  Color  dark  bay,  is  15  hands 
high,  and  weighs  1,060  lbs.  He  is  a close-knit  and  well- formed 
horse,  with  good  limbs  and  feet.  His  style  of  movement  is  good, 
and  his  temper  excellent.  At  the  Yermont  State  Fair  in  1855,  he 
received  the  second  premium  in  his  class. 

BLACK  HAWK 

Was  foaled  in  1833,  the  property  of  Wingate  Twombly,  of 
Greenland  (formerly  of  Durham),  N.  H.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  His  dam  was  raised  in  New  Brunswick,  and 
is  described  as  a half-blood  English  mare,  a very  fine  animal, 
black,  and  a fast  trotter.  When  four  years  old.  Black  Hawk  was 
purchased  by  Benj.  Thurston,  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  for  a family  horse, 
and  kept  for  that  purpose  until  1844,  when  he  was  purchased  by 
David  Hill,  Esq,,  of  Bridport,  Yermont,  by  whom  he  is  now  owned. 

Celebrated  horses,  like  great  men,  must  have  their  enemies,  and 
this  horse  has  had  his.  A few  years  since  a rumor  was  circulated 
that  he  was  not  sired  by  Sherman,  but  by  a French  horse  called 
Paddy.  The  only  foundation  for  such  a report  seems  to  have  been 
the  resemblance  between  the  two  horses  in  color,  both  being  black. 
Mr.  Hill  might  well  have  taken  no  notice  of  this  rumor,  as  he  had 
produced  the  affidavit  of  the  owner  of  Sherman,  in  1832,  testifying 
that  Sherman  was  coupled  with  the  dam  of  Black  Hawk  that  sea- 
son, and  that  the  following  season  he  received  payment  for  the 
same.  The  testimony  of  Mr.  Bellows  being  unimpeached,  the 
rumor  might  seem  amply  refuted  and  silenced,  but  Mr.  Hill  did  not 
choose  to  rely  solely  on  this  affidavit.  He  obtained  affidavits  or 


PEDIGREES. 


265 


letters  from  the  breeder  and  others  who  had  every  opportunity  of 
knowing  the  facts,  fully  and  amply  sustaining  the  affidavit  of  Mr. 
Bellows.  These  papers  were  published,  and  have  pretty  effectually 
settled  the  question.  The.  parties  who  first  circulated  the  above 
rumor  could  have  had  little  or  no  acquaintance  with  him  or  his 
stock,  for  with  the  exception  of  color,  he  bears  a strong  resemblance 
in  most  particulars  to  the  family  of  which  he  is  a member.  In 
size,  compactness,  style  of  action,  great  muscular  development, 
temperament,  and  endurance,  he  exhibits  their  distinguishing  traits 
in  a high  degree.  His  stock,  though  generally  larger,  being  from 
larger  dams,  exhibit  much  the  same  characteristics,  and  their  color 
when  not  black,  is  almost  without  exception  bay  or  chestnut,  the 
latter  color  being  quite  common.  Many  of  his  colts  have  the  same 
marks  in  the  face  and  upon  the  feet  that  belong  to  Sherman  and  his 
dam.  We  never  saw  a gray,  a white,  or  a cream-colored  horse  from 
him. 

Black  Hawk  is  a little  under  fifteen  hands  high,  and  weighs  about 
ten  hundred  pounds.  His  compact,  symmetrical,  and  muscular  form, 
and  nervous,  elastic  style  of  action,  give  unmistakable  evidence  of 
the  speed  and  endurance  he  has  shown  upon  the  turf  and  road ; and 
although  now  twenty-three  years  old,  his  eye  has  lost  none  of  its 
brightness,  his  health  is  still  excellent,  and  his  movements  still 
graceful  and  energetic.  One  of  the  chief  excellencies  of  Black 
Hawk,  and  one  which  he  possesses  in  a remarkable  degree,  is  the 
uniformity  with  which  he  stamps  upon  his  offspring  his  own  distin- 
guishing characteristics.  For  notice  of  his  performances,  see  Chap- 
ter X.  Few  colts  were  sired  by  him  previous  to  1844,  when  he 
became  the  property  of  David  Hill,  and  since  that  time  he  has  been 
constantly  kept  at  that  gentleman’s  stable,  in  Bridport,  Yt. 

BAY  MOEGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  in  East  Berkshire,  Yt.  Sired  by  Nimrod. 
Dam,  sired  by  Dubois  Horse.  His  color  is  dark  bay,  without 
marks.  He  is  owned  by  Joseph  Smith,  of  East  Berkshire. 

BAILEY  HOESE 

Was  foaled  in  1835,  the  property  of  Abner  Bailey,  of  Newbury, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  thickset 
12 


266 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Dutch  mare.  The  Bailey  horse  was  a chestnut,  15  hands  high, 
weighed  1,100  lbs,  and  had  one  white  hind  foot. 

BARKER  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1833,  the  property  of  Mr.  Cobb,  of  Nelson,  N.  H. 
Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a bay,  sired  by 
Diomede,  he  by  Imported  Diomede.  The  Barker  Horse  was  15^ 
hands  high,  and  weighed  1,100  lbs  , color  chestnut,  with  white  stripe 
in  the  face  like  his  sire,  whom  he  closely  resembled.  His  style  and 
action  were  unsurpassed,  and  he  was  a very  fine  roadster.  He  was 
kept  most  of  the  time  in  Merrimac  County,  N.  H.,  and  vicinity. 
Mr.  Barker  kept  him  near  home  until  1853,  after  which  Jesse  John- 
son and  Brothers  kept  him  at  Bradford,  Yt.,  and  Concord,  N.  H., 
and  vicinity,  until  he  died,  July,  1855,  still  the  property  of  Mr. 
Barker. 

BARTHOLOMEW  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1826,  the  property  of  Moses  Bartholomew,  of  Yershire, 
Yt.,  who  raised  and  kept  him  till  he  died.  Weight,  1,050  lbs.,  15 
hands  high,  color  dapple  bay.  He  had  abundance  of  both  speed 
and  action,  and  was  a fast  trotter.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire, 
Justin  Morgan. 

BONAPARTE 

Was  foaled  in  1836,  the  property  of  Johnson  and  Brothers,  of  Brad- 
ford, Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by 
Napoleon  Bonaparte.  Was  14J  hands  high,  and  weighed  950  lbs., 
very  compact,  close  built,  a fast  driver  and  strong  goer.  He  re- 
sembled his  sire  very  much.  F.  A.  Weir,  of  Walpole,  N.  H.,  pur- 
chased him  in  1845,  and  took  him  to  that  place. 

BLACK  HAWK  CHIEF 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  D.  Edgar  Hill,  of  Bridport,  Yt., 
by  whom  he  is  still  owned.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Young  Hamiltonian, 
formerly  owned  by  Allen  Smith,  of  Addison,  Yt.,  Young  Hamil- 
tonian by  Bishop’s  Hamiltonian,  and  he  by  Imported  Messenger. 
Dam  of  Young  Hamiltonian  by  Leonidas,  g dam  by  Bell  founder. 


PEDIGKEES. 


267 


Grand  dam  of  Black  Hawk  Chief,  sired  by  Imported  Matchem, 
owned  by  J.  S.  Larrabee,  of  Shoreham,  Yt.,  height  15j  hands, 
weight  1,034,  color  raven  black.  This  horse  received  the  first 
premium  at  the  New  York  State  Fair  in  1853,  and  also  the  first 
at  the  Addison  County,  Yt.,  Fair,  in  1855.  He  is  full  brother  to 
Sherman  Black  Hawk.  He  is  spirited,  but  exceedingly  gentle  and 
tractable.  Whole  figure  good.  Head  and  neck  beautiful.  Style 
and  action  fine.  Time,  2.48. 

BLACK  HAWK  ECLIPSE 

Was  foaled  in  1853,  the  property  of  Jesse  Johnson  and  Brothers, 
Bradford,  Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Eclipse,  g sire,  Morgan  Caesar,  g g 
sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a Black  Hawk. 
He  is  14  hands  high,  weighs  975  lbs. ; color  black,  with  a white  stripe 
in  the  face.  Sold  and  gone  to  South  Carolina.  An  excellent 
moving  horse,  very  clean,  light  head,  general  style  and  action  good. 

BLACK  HAWK  MOKGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  J.  Johnson  and  Brothers,  of 
Bradford,  Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Eclipse,  g sire,  Morgan  Caesar, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Black 
Hawk.  He  is  15  hands  high,  weighs  950  lbs. ; color,  chestnut. 

BUEBANK  HOESE 

SEE  BARKER  HORSE. 

BLISS  HOESE. 

Sired  by  W oodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  sired  by  Justin 
Morgan,  and  known  as  the  Charles  Cutter  mare,  of  Eoyalton,  Yt. 

BUCHANAN  HOESE 

Was  foaled  in  1836,  the  property  of  Jeremiah  Boyington,  of  New- 
bury, Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired 
by  Bulrush.  Buchanan  was  bay  color,  weighed  1,000  lbs.  When 
eight  years  old  he  was  sold  and  taken  to  New  Brunswick. 


268 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


BOSTON  TIGER 

Was  foaled  in  1825  or  ’26,  the  property  of  H.  H.  Kimball,  of 
Whitefield,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Cock  of  the  Rock,  g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a gray,  owned  by  H.  H. 
Kimball.  Tiger  was  15  hands  high,  weighed  1,050  lbs.  ; roan  color, 
fine  form  and  good  action. 

When  five  years  old  he  .was  purchased  by  Joseph  Sumner,  Esq., 
of  Charlestown,  N.  H.  Mr.  Sumner  kept  him  several  years,  but 
becoming  cross,  he  disposed  of  him,  and  he  was  put  into  a team  in 
Boston  or  Medford,  where,  in  1845,  he  was  found  and  purchased  by 
David  Batchelder,  of  Haverhill,  N.  H.,  who  kept  him  three  years 
and  sold  him  to  Gen.  Dolif,  of  East  Wentworth,  N.  H.,  whose 
property  he  continued  till  his  death  in  1848. 

BIRD  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1851.  Sired  by  the  Bird  horse,  formerly  owned 
by  J oel  Huntington  and  William  Gay,  and  kept  in  Rochester  and 
Hancock,  Yt.,  g sire,  Wolcott  Morgan,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Gifford.  Height, 
14s  hands,  weight,  985  lbs. ; color,  dapple  bay,  black  mane,  tail  and 
legs,  with  very  fine  action.  Now  owned  by  A.  Seymour,  of  West 
Randolph,  Yt. 


BUSSORAH 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  Keyes  Coburn,  of  Springport, 
Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.  Sired  by  Gen.  Gifford,  g sire  Gifford,  g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Lady  Howland,  by 
imported  Arabian  Bussorah,  g dam,  by  imported  Messenger.  15 J 
hands  high ; weight,  1,075  lbs. ; color,  bright  bay.  Now  owned  by 
B.  J.  Bidwell,  of  Tecumseh,  Mich.,  and  is  a good  horse. 

BACHELDER  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Joseph  Bachelder,  of  Danville,  Yt., 
sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a fast  trotting 
gray  mare,  half  French.  This  horse  was  of  dapple  gray  color,  and 
14 J hands  high.  Though  not  as  stylish  as  some  of  Sherman’s  colts, 
he  was  a spirited  and  fast  traveller.  Left  some  excellent  stock. 


PEDIGEEES. 


269 


BLANCHAED  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Joseph  Tilton,  of  Danville,  Vermont. 
His  dam  was  a light  bay,  sired  by  Justin  Morgan.  Blanchard  was 
sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Was  of  chestnut  color, 
and  weighed  1,000  lbs.  He  was  a close-made,  thick-set  horse,  but 
his  stock  were  not  as  noted  for  action  as  most  of  Sherman’s  colts. 
When  young  he  was  taken  to  New  Hampshire,  and  afterwards  to 
Maine.  At  an  advanced  age  he  was  brought  back  to  St.  Johnsbury, 
Vt.,  where  he  died. 


BROCK  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1836,  the  property  of  Capt.  William  Brock,  of  New- 
bury, Y t.  Sired  by  Parks  horse,  g sire.  Green  Mountain  1st,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Shark.  He  was 
sold  by  Mr.  Brock  to  Peter  Johns,  of  Nashua,  N.  H.  He 
weighed  900,  was  blood  bay  color,  had  a fine  figure  and  excellent 
action,  and  was  an  uncommonly  showy  horse.  Not  fast. 

BLACK  HAWK  NAPOLEON 
Was  foaled  the  13th  of  May,  1852,  the  property  of  A.  C.  Palmer, 
of  Charlotte,  Vermont.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk  Prophet,  g sire, 
Black  Hawk,  g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
of  Messenger  stock.  This  horse  is  16  hands  high,  weighs  about 
1,100  lbs.,  and  is  of  jet  black  color. 

He  received  the  highest  premium  in  his  class  at  the  Vermont 
State  Fair,  1855.  A well-shaped,  good-moving  horse.  Still  owned 
by  Mr.  Palmer. 

BAXTER  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1852,  the  property  of  Portus  Baxter,  of 
Derby,  Vt.  Sired  by  colt  of  Black  Hawk,  g sire.  Black  Hawk, 
g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Royal 
Morgan.  He  is  15J  hands  high,  weighs  1,050  lbs.,  with  a very  dark 
brown  color,  and  white  stripe  in  the  face.  Has  a beautiful  ear 
fine  shoulders  and  withers,  with  good  hips  and  back.  His  limbs  are 
excellent.  Promises  to  be  fast.  Now  owned  by  Portus  Baxter, 
of  Strafford,  Vt. 


270 


IE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


BLACK  HAWK  PRINCE 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Mr.  McKinney,  of  Bridport, 
yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam  by  Young  Sir  Walter,  sire  of  Moscow,  and  he  by  Sir 
Walter.  Prince  is  jet  black,  with  small,  white  star  in  the  face,  16 
hands  high,  and  weighs  1,150  lbs. 

McKinney  sold  him  to  Messrs.  Gale  & Wright,  in  April,  1854^ 
Col.  Abram  Foot,  of  Cornwall,  Yt.,  afterwards  purchased  and  now 
owns  him.  He  is  a very  fine  horse,  with  abundance  of  spirit,  excel- 
lent action,  and  a hardy  constitution. 

BROWN  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  June  17, 1850.  Sired  by  Morgan  Sultan,  g sire,  Gifford, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Sher- 
man King,  g dam  by  Justin  Morgan. 

BLACK  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  28th  July,  1845,  the  property  of  Sylvanus  H.  Gates,  of 
Petersham,  Mass.  Sired  by  Gates  Horse,  g sire.  Green  Mountain  2d, 
g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan^ 
Dam  raised  in  Middlebury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d. 
When  three  years  old,  Black  Morgan  was  purchased  by  Francis 
Twichell,  of  Petersham,  Mass.,  who  kept  him  till  he  died.  May, 
1854.  He  received  the  fourth  premium  at  the  National  Fair  in 
Springfield,  1853. 

BAY  STATE  MORGAN  1st 

Was  foaled  May  9, 1849,  the  property  of  Joshua  Saunderson,  of 
Pittsfield,  Mass.  Sired  by  Young  Green  Mountain,  g sire.  Green 
Mountain  2d,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  " 
Justin  Morgan.  Color,  bright  bay,  15  hands  high  ; weight,  1,060 
lbs.,  and  is  a good  horse.  Now  owned  by  Mr.  Saunderson  at  Pitts- 
field. 

BAY  STATE  MORGAN  2d 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  S.  B.  Aiken,  Hardwicke,  Mass. 
Sired  by  Young  Green  Mountain,  g sire.  Green  Mountain  2d,  g g 
sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 


PEDIGREES. 


271 


Dark  bay,  IG4  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,150  lbs.  lie  is  now  owned 
by  Forrester  B.  Aiken,  of  Hardwicke,  Mass.  Good  withers,  good 
neck,  good  figure,  and  a good  horse. 

BLACK  LION 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Chester  Pratt,  Cornwall,  Vt.  Sired  by 
Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
sired  by  Liberty. 

- BILLY  ROOT,  OR  COMET, 

Was  foaled  in  1829,  the  property  of  Hezekiah  Morton,  of  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a 
half  French  mare,  sired  by  Justin  Morgan.  A fine  driver,  and 
weighed  1,000  lbs. 

Billy  Root  weighed  942  lbs ; color,  dark  chestnut,  with  a few 
white  hairs  in  the  forehead,  and  a little  white  on  the  off  hind 
foot.  ‘The  hair  on  his  body  was  rather  long,  but  soft  and  silky, 
had  but  few  long  hairs  on  his  legs  and  excellent  feet.  Eldad  Root 
purchased  him  in  1832  or  ’33.  Mr.  Root  kept  him  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  we  believe  at  Genesee  Flats  ; and  he  also  kept  him  at 
Lyndon,  Yt.,  several  years.  When  about  ten  years  old  he  took  him  to 
Highgate,  Yt.,  where  he  remained  four  years.  Mr.  Root  sold  him 
to  Mr.  Stevens,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Yt.  Mr.  Stevens  used  him  hard 
one  year,  and  sold  him  to  Mr.  Filer,  of  Burke,  Yt.,  who  kept  him  a 
short  time,  and  traded  him  to  Eleazer  Smith,  of  Haverhill,  N.  H. 
Mr.  Smith  after  a few  months,  traded  him  in  the  spring,  back  to 
Mr.  Filer,  who  took  him  to  Springfield,  Mass.,  in  the  summer  or 
fall  of  1845,  and  disposed  of  him  to  a person  who  took  him  to 
Warehouse  Point.  The  same  autumn  he  was  again  traded  to  a 
man  in  Sharon,  Conn.  In  the  spring  of  1847,  (April  18th,)  Messrs. 
Bemis  & Hoyt  brought  him  back  to  Lyndon,  where  he  was  kept  in 
1847-’48-’49,at  Hoyt’s  stable.  In  1850,  he  was  kept  at  Highgate, 
and  in  1851,  at  Lyndon,  Yt.  He  died  very  suddenly  April  25th, 
1852.  His  death  was  supposed  to  be  caused  by  the  rupture  of  a 
blood-vessel.  He  was  a horse  of  extraordinary  life,  energy  and 
action.  His  stock  are  small,  but  have  become  widely  and  justly 
celebrated  for  spirit,  action,  endurance,  and  docility. 


272 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


BENTON  HORSE, 

SEE  COOS  MORGAN. 

BARD  WELL  HORSE. 

SEE  DEERFIELD  MORGAN. 

BLACK  JACK 

Was  foaled  June  5,  1849,  the  property  of  Charles  Ldnsley,  of 
Middlebury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Hacket  Horse,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Bay  Flirt,  bred  near 
Lancaster,  Ohio,  and  sired  by  Medley,  he  by  Little  Medley,  and  he 
by  imported  Medley,  g dam,  by  Shepard’s  Consul,  and  he  by  Bond’s 
First  Consul  for  further  pedigree  of  Medley  and  Bond’s  First  Consul^ 
see  American  Stud  Book.  Black  Jack  is  15  hands  high  and 
weighs  1,070  lbs. ; color,  black  chestnut,  without  marks  ; is  a com- 
pact, enduring  horse,  a good  traveller,  and  is  perfectly  sound.  He  is 
now  owned  by  G.  L.  Linsley,  of  Kankakee  City,  Illinois. 

BLACK  HAWK,  Jr.,  1st, 

Was  foaled  in  1847,  the  property  of  Abraham  F.  Aburnethy,  of 
Cornwall,  Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Howard  mare,  sired  by  a colt  of  Hamilton- 
ian. He  is  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,000  lbs.  Mr.  Aburnethy 
kept  him  till  three  years  old,  and  sold  him  to  Col.  Abraham  Foot, 
of  Cornwall,  Yt.,  who  kept  him  till  August  1852,  when  he  sold  him 
to  Farnham  & Foot,  of  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  for  $1,500.  He  is  still 
owned  in  Lockport  by  Col.  E.  H.  Foot.  With  a very  fine  figure^ 
he  possesses  an  excellent  temper,  is  a pleasant  driver  and  goes  in 
good  style. 

BLACK  HAWK,  Jr.,  2d, 

Was  foaled  June  20, 1849,  the  property  of  James  S.  Phelps,  of 
Middlebury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  sired  by  a son  of  Giffords,  g dam,  by  Young 
Hamiltonian.  He  is  jet  black  color,  16  hands  high,  and  weighs  1050 
lbs.  His  limbs  are  light  but  sinewy,  free  from  long  hairs,  and  any 
sort  of  blemish.  He  has  a bold,  resolute  style  of  action,  and  is  now 
the  property  of  Mr.  Phelps,  at  Burlington,  Iowa. 


PEDIGREES. 


273 


CLARKE  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1840  or  '41,  the  property  of  Hall  Cabot,  of  Chelsea, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  For- 
tune, Fortune  by  Quicksilver,  g dam  by  Justin  Morgan.  Height, 
13|  hands  ; weight,  875  lbs. ; color,  bright  bay.  One  of  the  best 
acting  sons  of  Bulrush.  A fine,  spirited  animal.  Went  to  Ohio. 

COCK  OF  THE  ROCK 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Oliver  Bowers,  of  Danville,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Barnum,  Cock 
of  the  Rock.  He  was  a very  light  chestnut,  with  white  face 
below  the  eyes,  15  hands  high,  and  weighed  1,100  lbs.  His  eye, 
ear  and  head  not  so  good,  but  general  form,  Morgan.  He  attracted 
some  notice  in  New  Hampshire  and  New  York,  in  which  States  he 
was  kept.  Mr.  Bellows,  of  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  purchased  him  ot 
Mr.  Bowers,  and  sold  him  to  Horatio  Sargeant,  of  Springfield,  Mass., 
at  a high  price.  Was  a bold,  proud-looking  and  active  horse,  and 
a fine  animal.  Was  a fast  trotter,  and  left  some  good  stock. 

COLBY  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Colby,  of  Warner,  N.  H.  Sired  by 
Barker  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan ; is  15 
hands  high,  weighs  1,050,  chestnut  color,  and  a capital  horse,  with 
fine  action  and  good  figure. 

CHARLES  SMITH  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  C.  C.  Smith,  of  Corinth,  Yt.,  and  now 
owned  by  Leonard  Avery,  of  same  place.  Sired  by  Young  Bul- 
rush, g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Small  size, 
weight  900,  dark  chestnut  color,  and  good  action. 

CRANE  HORSE,  OR  STEELE  HORSE. 

See  Royal  Morgan. 

CHILDS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Col.  Levi  Childs,  of  Derby,  Yt.  Sired 
by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
a chestnut,  15  hands  high,  weighed  1,000,  and  sired  by  American 
12^ 


274 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Eagle.  Childs  horse  is  a dark  bay,  14J  hands  high,  weighs  about 
975.  Style  and  action  very  good.  Now  owned  in  Northampton, 
Mass. 

CHAMBERLAIN  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  Lathrop  Chamberlain,  of 
Brownington,  Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Ham,  a bay,  15  hands  high,  weighed  950  lbs., 
and  was  sired  by  Olive  Branch. 

Chamberlain  horse  was  a bay  14J  hands  high,  and  weighed  about 
900  lbs.  His  movement  was  excellent,  and  he  was  full  of  life  and 
sj^irit.  He  is  now  dead. 

CARPENTER’S  GRAY 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Francis  Drew,  of  Danville,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  large  gray,  sired 
by  Black  Prince.  He  was  14J  hands  high,  weighed  1,050  lbs.,  and 
had  plenty  of  bone,  muscle,  spirit,  and  action.  He  took  his  name 
from  Danford  Carpenter,  of  Danville,  who  owned  him  some  time, 
and  sold  him  to  go  to  Massachusetts. 

CLIFTON 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  Wm.  Bellows,  Esq.,  of  Walpole, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Wood- 
bury, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a chestnut,  sired  by  Gifford, 
g dam  • by  Sherman.  Clifton  is  144  hands  high,  and  weighs  960 
pounds.  His  color  is  a bright  chestnut.  At  three  months  old  Mr. 
Bellows  sold  him  to  Silas  Hale,  of  South  Royalston,  Mass.  At 
eighteen  months  old,  Mr.  Hale  sold  him  to  S.  H.  Edgerly,  Esq.,  of 
Manchester,  N.  H.,  who  shortly  after  sold  him  to  F.  H.  Leyford^ 
Esq.,  whose  property  he  still  remains.  Clifton  is  a bold-looking, 
active  and  muscular  horse,  and  in  many  respects  resembles  his 
celebrated  sire. 


CLEMENTS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1826,  the  property  of  Mr.  Clements,  of  Goshen, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  was  cele- 
brated as  a roadster,  and  descended  from  Imported  Killdeer. 


PEDIGKEKS. 


275 


Clements  kept  him  till  1831,  and  then  sold  him  to  go  to  St.  Law- 
rence County,  New  York.  He  was  kept  several  years  in  Malone 
and  vicinity,  and  was  finally  taken  to  Canada.  His  style  and 
action  were  very  fine. 

CHAMPLAIN 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Kobins  Battell,  of  Norfolk,Conn. 
Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Full  brother  to  Vermonter.  Champlain  is  now  owned  by  Battell  & 
Phelps,  in  Fon  Du  Lac  County,  Wisconsin,  and  is  a very  fine  horse. 

CHAMPION  BLACK  HAWK 
Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  C.  W.  Fletcher,  of  Orwell, 
Vt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  by  Cock  of  the  Eock,  g dam  said  to  be  out  of  a Bul- 
rush Morgan  mare,  by  a Messenger  Horse.  Champion  Black  Hawk 
is  a dark  red  chestnut,  15J  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,100  lbs., 
is  compact  and  muscular,  with  beautiful  ear  and  head.  He  has 
taken  the  first  prize  at  five  State,  and  several  County  fairs. 
Spirit,  style  and  action  excellent.  In  the  fall  of  1855  he  trotted 
two  miles  in  5 min.  45  sec.  He  is  now  owned  by  P.  & L.  Melendy, 
Mount  Healthy,  Hamilton  Co.,  Ohio.  He  was  purchased  by  his 
present  owners  in  August,  1855,  of  W.  H.  & J.  Ladd,  Jefferson 
County,  Ohio. 

COOS  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  Charles  Benton,  of  New- 
bury, Vt.  Sired  by  Young  Moscow.  Dam  was  sired  by  Morgan 
Bobbin,  g dam  by  Billy  Root,  g g dam  by  Justin  Morgan.  He  is 
a black  chestnut,  15 J hands  high,  and  weighs  1,045  lbs.  He  is 
very  gentle,  and  perfectly  kind  in  any  service.  Exceedingly  well- 
built,  forward,  and  bold  in  style,  though  less  nervous  than  some  of 
his  kin.  He  is  a favorite  stock  horse  in  the  vicinity  of  Newbury. 
He  has  been  exhibited  for  a premium  but  once,  when  he  received 
one,  at  the  Vermont  State  Fair,  in  1853. 

CHARLEY 

Was  foaled  May  23,  1851,  the  property  of  Calvin  Blodget,  of 
Waterbury,  Vt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Jus- 


276 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


tin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g dam  by  Messenger. 
Charley  is  a dark,  dapple  bay,  14^  hands  high,  and  weighs  a little 
less  than  1,000  lbs.  He  has  no  white  hairs  on  him ; mane  and  tail 
full  and  heavy,  very  compact,  with  good  limbs  and  good  action. 
He  is  an  excellent  roadster. 

CARLETON  HORSE. 

See  Peters  Morgan. 

COMET. 

See  Billy  Root. 

COMET 

Was  foaled  in  1846,  the  property  of  Jonas  Flint,  of  St.  Johns, 
bury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Billy  Root,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  dark  chestnut,  known  as  Crane  mare.  Sired  by 
Royal  Morgan,  g dam  by  Hubbard  horse,  g g dam,  known  as  the 
Pierce  mare.  Comet  is  a chestnut,  and  weighs  1,050  lbs.  He  has 
taken  several  premiums.  One  at  the  National  Fair  at  Boston, 
1855,  and  one  at  the  New  Hampshire  State  Fair  ; also  one  in  his 
own  county.  He  is  now  the  property  of  Mr.  Woods,  of  Hancock^ 
N.  H.,  and  is  an  excellent  horse,  with  plenty  of  life,  and  a spirited, 
nervous  style  of  action. 

CHALLENGE 

Was  foaled  June  3d,  1854,  the  property  of  Charles  Linsley,  Esq., 
of  Middlebury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  White  Mountain  Morgan,  g 
dam  by  Woodbury ; weight,  882  lbs. ; 15i  hands  high,  black  chestnut 
color,  with  stripe  in  the  face,  and  three  white  feet.  He  is  now 
owned  by  George  L.  Linsley,  Kankakee,  111, 

CLARKE  HORSE. 

See  Whalebone. 

DON  JUAN 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  C.  M.  Fletcher,  of  Orwell,  \ t. 
Sired  by  Champion  Black  Hawk,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Lady  Henry,  sired  by 


PEDIGREES. 


277 


Birney  Henry,  g dam  was  of  Messenger  blood  ; 16  hands  high,  and 
weighs  1,210  lbs.;  color,  very  dark  dapple  bay,  heavy,  wavy 
black  mane  and  tail.  When  two  years  old  he  was  entered  for  a 
purse,  at  Burlington,  Vt.,  which  he  won,  trotting  mile  heats  in 
3 min.  10  sec.  When  three  years  old  he  trotted  a half  mile  in 
1 min.  22  sec.  A fine  horse,  and  still  owned  by  Mr.  Fletcher. 

DAYIS  HORSE 

Was  a Vermont  horse,  sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan ; height,  14^  hands ; weight,  925  lbs. ; color,  chestnut.  Few 
white  hairs  in  face,  and  one  white  hind-foot.  Action  and  style  good. 

DUBOIS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1818.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan,  color 
bay  ; moved  in  good  style,  and  was  fast ; weight,  940  pounds.  He 
was  owned  at  one  time  in  Burlington,  Yt. 

DAYIS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1852.  Was  sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
He  was  15  J hands  high,  and  weighed  1,200  ; color,  mahogany  bay; 
action  and  speed  not  remarkable,  but  enduring  and  hardy 

DEERFIELD  MORGAN 

Was  bred  in  Shelburne,  Mass.,  and  was  sired  by  Green  Mountain 
2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 
He  is  a good  acting,  sharp-going  horse. 

EMPEROR 

Was  foaled  in  1837,  the  property  of  Rufus  H.  Hyde,  of  Chelsea,  Yt., 
who  kept  him  three  or  four  years  and  sold  him.  Sired  by  Bulrush, 
g sire,  Justin  Morgan ; weight,  1,000  lbs. ; bright  bay ; good  figure, 
but  not  remarkably  good  gait. 

ETHAN  ALLEN. 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1849,  the  property  of  J.  W.  Holcomb,  of  Ticon- 
deroga,  N.  Y.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a medium  size  white  mare  of  Messenger 


273 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


blood  ; 15  hands  high,  and  weighs  about  1,000  lbs. ; is  a beautiful 
bay,  with  black  mane  and  tail ; is  perfectly  sound  and  kind,  very 
tractable,  and  has  an  excellent  temper  and  gait,  either  for  the  road 
or  the  turf.  It  is  claimed  by  his  friends  that  he  is  the  fastest  trot, 
ting  stallion  living,  and  the  claim  seems  to  be  well  founded.  For 
further  notice  of  his  performances,  see  Chapter  X.  He  is  now 
owned  by  0.  S.  Roe  & Co.,  of  Shoreham,  Yt. 

It  has  been  reported  that  Ethan  Allen  was  sired  by  Flying  Mor- 
gan, an  excellent  horse,  and  one  which  he,  in  some  respects,  resem- 
bles. We  have  made  careful  inquiry  into  all  the  circumstances  of 
the  case,  and  we  can  see  no  reasonable  ground  to  doubt  his  having 
been  sired  by  Black  Hawk.  Mr.  Holcomb  had  bred  two  celebrated 
animals.  Black  Hawk  Maid  and  Red  Legs,  from  the  dam  of  Ethan 
Allen  by  Black  Hawk,  and  there  can  be  no  question  that  the  mare 
was  coupled  with  Black  Hawk  in  1848.  Flying  Morgan  was  not 
kept  for  stock  that  year,  but  for  a driving  horse,  and  we  believe 
was  kept  by  chance  one  night  at  Ticonderoga.  We  believe  that 
this,  with  the  resemblance  in  color  and  shape  of  the  head,  furnish 
the  chief  grounds  for  the  report. 

ETHAN  ALLEN  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1850,  the  property  of  E.  & T.  Sprague,  of  East  Ran- 
dolph, Yt.  Sired  by  Putnam  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a chestnut  mare  known  as  the  Partridge 
mare.  Sired  by  Woodbury.  He  is  15  hands  high,  and  weighs 
1,000  lbs.  Color,  chestnut,  with  white  stripe  in  his  face.  Great 
muscular  power,  with  good  style  and  action.  Now  owned  by  B.  F. 
Parkhurst,  of  Randolph.  Llis  colts  principally  chestnut. 

ENFIELD  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1824,  in  Enfield,  Conn.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  was  raised  in  Connecticut,  and  was  of , 
the  celebrated  Janus  stock. 

Enfield  remained  in  Connecticut  until  the  winter  of  1831,  when  his 
owner  drove  him  to  Addison  County,  Yt.,  with  a load  of  fresh  cod- 
fish. While  on  the  road,  he  met  with  an  accident  that  made  him 
lame  for  some  time,  and  he  was  sold  to  J oshua  Scott,  of  Middle- 


PEDIGREES. 


279 


bury.  Mr.  Scott  kept  him  one  year,  and  sold  him  to  Austin  John- 
son. Mr.  Johnson  kept  him  two  or  three  years,  and  sold  him  to  go 
to  the  State  of  Maine.  Since  that  time  we  have  been  unable  to 
trace  him. 

He  was  a chestnut,  14J  hands  high,  and  weighed  975  lbs.  He 
was  an  excellent  horse  ; a fast  driver,  and  full  of  courage  and  life. 

ESTY  HORSE 

Was  sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  sired  by  Romeo,  owned  by  E.  Pike.  Height,  15 J hands ; 
weight,  1,000  lbs. ; color,  black  roan.  Good  style  and  fast ; but 
never  was  trained.  Was  burned  in  a stable  when  five  years  old. 
He  was  sire  of  the  noted  trotting  mare.  Lady  Franklin. 

FENTON  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1808,  the  property  of  Richard  W.  Fenton,  of  St. 
Johnsbury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Justin  Morgan. 

He  was  of  a blood  bay  color  ; excellent  in  style  and  action,  and 
a very  fine  horse.  See  Chap.  YII. 

FLYING  CLOUD  1st 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Robinson,  of  New  Bedford,  Mass. 
Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  by  Andrew  Jackson,  of  trotting  celebrity  ; was  a black  mare, 
and  weighed  about  1,000  lbs. 

Flying  Cloud  weighs  about  1,000  lbs.,  and  his  color  is  black.  He 
is  now  on  Long  Island. 

FLYING  CLOUD  2n. 

This  Flying  Cloud  is  now  in  Ohio.;  was  foaled  the  property  of 
Gustavus  Wickes,  of  Ticonderoga,  N.Y.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g 
sire  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Magnum 
Bonum. 

This  horse  is  black,  and  weighs  1,  050  pounds. 

FLYING  MORGAN. 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  R.  M.  Adams,  of  Burlington,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Hackett  horse,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Woodbury.  Flying  Morgan  is  14 


280 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


hands  high,  and  weighs  900  lbs  ; color,  blood  bay,  with  white  hind 
feet.  When  five  years  old  he  was  sold  to  Dr.  Wm.  Russell,  of  Mid- 
dlebury,  Yt.,  but  Mr.  Adams  repurchased  him  the  following  year, 
and  has  owned  him  ever  since.  He  is  a horse  of  a great  deal  of 
bottom  and  power  ; trots  perfectly  square  and  fair  ; goes  smart ; is 
perfectly  sure  for  all  he  can  do,  and  generally  makes  his  best  time 
the  last  heat.  From  heating  and  over-work,  his  eyes  have  been  in- 
iured,  and  he  can  see  but  little.  For  performances,  see  Chap.  1 0. 

FLYING  MORGAN  SPROUT 
Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  R.  M.  Adams,  of  Burlington,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Flying  Morgan,  g sire,  Hackett  horse,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g 
sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan,  out  of  Messenger  dam, 
of  middling  size.  He  is  15  hands  high,  and  of  a dark  chestnut  color. 
Took  the  second  premium  at  the  National  Fair  at  Springfield, 
Mass.,  when  he  had  nine  competitors.  Has  an  excellent  temper,  a 
free,  open  gait,  and  promises  to  be  fast.  Under  Mr.  Adams’  care  he 
has  become  one  of  the  best  trained  and  most  thoroughly  broken 
horses  in  the  State,  and  we  do  not  know  of  a horse  equal  to  him  in 
these  respects.  He  is  still  owned  by  Mr.  Adams,  at  Burlington,  Yt. 

FOX 

Was  foaled  in  1813,  the  property  of  Col.  Phinney,  of  Shrewsbury, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  unknown  ; 14 
hands  high  ; weight,  975  lbs. ; color,  dapple  bay ; a very  few  white 
hairs  on  his  forehead,  and  very  few  long  hairs  on  his  legs  ; mane  and 
tail  thick  and  bushy.  In  1825  he  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Oliver 
Brown,  of  Pittsford,  Yt.  Mr.  Brown  kept  him  about  one  year,  and 
sold  him  to  Harvey  Yale,  of  Middlebury,  Yt.,  for  $210.  Mr.  Yale 
kept  him  five  years ; during  this  time  he  was  kept  at  Huntington 
and  Middlebury.  In  1831,  Mr.  Yale  sold  him  to  Dr.  Smith,  oi’^ 
Huntington,  for  $150.  Dr.  Smith  kept  him  one  year.  From  Hunt- } 
ington  he  went  to  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y. ; from  whence  he  was 
taken  to  Upper  Canada,  where  he  died.  He  was  a horse  of  great 
spirit  and  action,  and  was  a favorite  parade  horse. 

FARRAR  HORSE. 


SEE  YOUNG  BURBANK. 


PEDIGREES. 


281 


FLINT  HOKSE 

Was  foaled  in  1823,  the  property  of  Oliver  Bowers,  of  Danville, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  He  was  owned  by 
Mr.  Bowers,  Mr.  Flint,  Mr.  Woods,  and  Mr.  Bellows.  He  died  in 
St.  Johnsbury.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a fine  horse,  but  we  have 
been  able  to  learn  no  further  particulars  concerning  him. 

FLYING  MOKGAN,  OF  PETEKSHAM. 

SEE  NORTH  STAR. 

FALCON 

Was  foaled  May  31st,  1846,  the  property  of  Robbins  Battell,  of  Nor- 
folk, Conn.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  by  the  Yale  horse  ; Yale  horse  by  Barnum’s  Cock 
of  the  Rock  ; g dam  by  Gifford.  Falcon  died  at  three  years  old. 

FALCON  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  Robbins  Battell,  of  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Sired  by  Falcon,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire,  Sherman, 
g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a high-blooded  Yirginia  mare 

FARMERS’  BEAUTY 

Was  foaled  in  1842,  the  property  of  Dr.  Thatcher,  of  Wells 
River,  Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  a bay,  said  to  sired  by  Woodbury.  Farmers’ 
Beauty  is  about  15  hands  high  ; weighs  1,075  lbs.,  and  is  of  dappled 
chestnut  color.  Stock  excellent  and  uniform.  He  is  a good 
traveller  ; has  trotted  in  2.53.  He  is  now  owned  by  D.  M.  Tag- 
gart, Goffstown,  N.  H. 

FOX  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  Miller  & Fox,  of  New 
Ipswich,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Comet,  g sire,  Billy  Root,  g g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  The  Fox  Morgan  is  coal  black, 
with  a few  gray  hairs  about  his  flanks ; 14i  hands  high,  and  weighs 
950  lbs.  Action  spirited  and  stylish. 


282 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


GOODALE  HOKSE 

Was  foaled  in  1836,  the  property  of  Luther  Goodale,  of  Lyme, 
N.H.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Height,  15^ 
hands  ; weight,  1,100  lbs.  Heavy  bone  and  muscle ; courage  and  bot- 
tom excellent ; action  not  the  finest,  but  a good  driver.  He  left  some 
excellent  stock.  Mr.  Goodale  sold  him  in  1845  or  '46  to  B.  F. 
Tillitson,  of  Orford,  N.  H.,  who  sold  him  in  1849  or  '50,  to  a man  in 
Danvers,  Mass.  Disposition  not  pleasant. 

GATES  HORSE. 

(see  MORGAN  EMPIRE.) 

GREEN  MOUNTAIN  1st 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Bachupp,  of  Rygate,  Yt.  Sired  by 
Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  He  was  151  hands  high  ; weighed 
1,125  lbs.,  and  was  of  a dusty  brown  color.  He  was  taken  to  Green- 
field, Mass.,  and  sold  for  $1,000. 

GREEN  MOUNTAIN  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1834,  the  property  of  George  Bundy.  Sired  by  Gif- 
ford, g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by 
Woodbury,  a dark  bay  mare  of  great  beauty  and  action.  This 
horse  is  145  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,100  lbs.  ; color,  deep  bay. 
Mr.  Bundy  sold  him,  when  four  months  old,  to  Daniel  Gay,  of  Stock- 
bridge,  Yt.,  who  kept  him  till  he  was  four  years  old,  and  sold  him 
to  Hiram  Twitchell,  of  Bethel,  Yt.,  and  he  sold  him  the  same  year 
to  John  Woodbury,  of  Bethel,  Yt.  Mr.  Woodbury  sold  him  to 
Silas  Hale,  of  South  Royalston,  Mass.,  who  kept  him  till  1855^ 
when  he  sold  him  to  a stock  company  in  Williamstown,  Yt.,  where 
he  is  now  owned.  Mr.  Hale  took  him  West  in  1853,  and  he  re- 
ceived first  premiums  at  the  several  State  Fairs  of  Kentucky,  Ohio, 
and  Michigan,  and  in  1854  he  received  the  first  premium  at  the  Yer^ 
mont  State  Fair,  at  Brattleboro’.  He  has  also  taken  several  other 
premiums.  He  is  a horse  of  great  muscular  development,  and 
remarkably  nervous,  spirited  action. 


PEDIGREES. 


283 


GOODALE  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  John  Dennick,  of  Lynn,  N.  H.  Sired 
by  Young  Burbank,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
He  is  of  a bay  color,  and  weighs  1,025  lbs.  Left  one  stallion,  the 
Bold  Rusher,  a fine  horse,  now  dead. 

GREEN  MOUNTAIN,  Jr., 

Was  foaled  in  July,  1851.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gif- 
ford, g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g gsire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  known 
as  the  Harton  Trotting  Mare.  In  1851  owned  by  George  W.  Brad- 
street,  of  Royalton,  Yt.,  and  purchased  of  him  by  Reuben  H. 
Lamb,  of  Boston.  Sired  by  Gifibrd. 

Green  Mountain,  Jr.,  is  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,035  lbs.  His 
color  is  dark  chestnut,  or  brown.  He  has  the  style  and  action  of 
his  sire  and  dam,  and  trots  a mile  in  3 minutes.  Now  owned  by 
A.  Lyman,  of  West  Randolph,  Yt.  He  is  a very  fast  walker,  and 
a very  pleasant  and  stylish  driver. 

GEN.  GIFFORD  1st 

Was  foaled  in  1839,  the  property  of  Edward  Eldridge,  of  War- 
ren, Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan. 

Gen.  Gifford  is  a chestnut,  15J  hands  high,  weighs  1,040  lbs.  He 
is  a long-bodied,  but  compact  horse,  with  good  style  and  action ; 
a pleasant  temper,  and  abundance  of  life.  Mr.  Eldridge  sold  him  to 
Calvin  Blodget,  of  Waterbury,  Yt.  Mr.  Blodget  kept  him  about 
two  years  and  sold  him  to  George  A.  Mason,  of  Jordan,  N.  Y. 

GEN.  GIFFORD  2n 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  in  Walpole,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  weighed  1,000  lbs. ; was 
foaled  in  1831,  in  Woodstock,  Yt.  ; sired  by  Woodbury.  Gen.  2d 
is  a bay,  and  weighs  1,000  lbs.  A well-formed  horse,  of  good 
action. 

GENERAL  COOK  HORSE. 

(see  SHERMAN  MORGAN.) 


284 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


GENERAL  TAYLOR 

Was  foaled  in  Chelsea,  in  1849,  the  property  of  Joseph  Hatch. 
Sired  by  Black  Prince.  Dam,  sired  by  Bulrush,  g dam  by  Quicksib 
ver,  15  hands  high,  blood-bay  color,  and  weighs  1,000  lbs.  Not  re- 
markably bold  and  active,  but  symmetrical,  hardy,  and  enduring, 
and  an  excellent  horse.  Received  the  first  premium  at  the  Orange 
County,  Yt.,  Fair,  in  1851,  and  also  the  first  in  the  class  of  Bul- 
rush Morgans,  at  the  State  Fair  in  1854.  Now  owned  by  Elihu 
Norton,  Chelsea,  Yt. 

GLINES  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1846,  the  property  of  James  Glines,  Haverhill,  N.  H. 
Sired  by  One  Eye,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
' an  English  mare.  His  color  is  chestnut,  and  weighs  about  1,100 
lbs.  He  has  gone  West. 

GROSYNER  COLT. 

(see  PLATO.) 

GIFFORD 

Was  foaled  June  23, 1824,  the  property  of  Ziba  Gifford,  of  Tun- 
bridge, Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam 
foaled  June  21st,  1819,  and  sired  by  Henry  Dundas,  g dam  by  True 
Briton,  g g dam  by  De  Lancey's  Imported  Wild  Air.  Weighed 
1,000  lbs.,  and  was  14 J hands  high.  Style  and  motion  much  ad- 
mired, and  was  a favorite  parade  horse.  Has  left  some  excellent 
stock.  March  17th,  1840,  Mr.  Gifford  sold  him  to  Russel  Topliflf, 
of  Barnard,  Yt.  In  1844,  Mr.  Topliff  sold  him  to  Lyman  Stewart. 
Mr.  Stewart  sold  him  to  go  to  the  State  of  New  York.  In  1846 
Mr.  F.  A.  Weir,  of  Walpole,  N.  H.,  purchased  him,  and  sold  him 
to  a stock  company  for  $2,000.  He  died  Oct.  30th,  1850,  at  Wal- 
pole, N.  H. 

GENERAL  GIFFORD  3d 

Was  foaled  20th  Sept.,  1851,  the  property  of  Mr.  Woodard,  of 
South  Royalton,  Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire, 


PEDIGREES. 


285 


Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  General  Gifford.  He  is  14  hands  high, 
and  weighs  945  lbs.  Color  chestnut,  white  face,  and  three  white 
feet.  Speed  good  for  a colt  that  has  not  been  trained. 

GIFFORD  MORGAN,  Jr., 

Was  foaled  May  23d,  1850,  the  property  of  Elijah  Judson,  of 
Woodbury,  Con.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Ribbon  Back,  by  Young  Black  Hawk ; 
g dam  was  taken  from  Vermont  to  Con.,  in  1825,  and  was  said  to 
have  been  sired  by  the  Justin  Morgan.  Gifford  Morgan,  Jr.,  is  a jet 
black  color,  a little  under  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  about  1,100 
lbs.  Is  a free,  pleasant  traveller,  and  moves  in  good,  bold  style.  Is 
very  pleasant  in  his  temper,  perfectly  tractable,  and  is  a fine  horse. 
He  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  H.  B.  Munson,  and  is  kept  at  Keokuk, 
Lee  County,  Iowa. 

GREEN  MOUNTAIN  3d 

Was  foaled  September  3d,  1853,  the  property  of  H.  B.  Munson, 
of  Seymour,  Con.  Sired  by  a son  of  Green  Mountain  2d.,  g sire. 
Green  Mountain  2d,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Moscow,  g dam,  by  Woodbury. 
His  color  is  dark  chestnut,  with  silver  colored  mane  and  tail.  Is 
15  hands  high,  and  is  a promising  colt. 

GRANITE  STATE  MORGAN 
Was  foaled  June  21st,  1847,  the  property  of  Parker  W.  Home, 
of  Farmington,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Napoleon  Morgan,  g sire,  Flint 
horse,  g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  of 
Messenger  descent.  Granite  State  Morgan  is  a chestnut  roan,  with 
one  white  hind  foot  and  a white  stripe  in  the  face,  151  hands  high, 
and  weighs  about  1,000  lbs.  Is  a good  traveller,  perfectly  sound 
and  kind,  a pleasant,  tractable  temper,  and  can  be  driven  by  a child. 
He  is  now  owned  by  C.  C.  Whitehouse,  of  Farmington,  N.  H. 

GENERAL  GIFFORD,  Jr., 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  CharlesW.  Ingersoll,  of  Lodi, 
Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y , who  at  that  time  owned  the  General  Gifford  1st. 
Sired  by  General  Gifford  1st.,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Woodbury, 


286 


THE  MORGAN  HOilSE. 


g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  the  celebrated  Medick’s  trotting 
mare.  Her  dam  by  Bucyrus,  and  he  by  American  Eclipse.  This 
Junior  General  is  16  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,100  lbs.  He  re- 
ceived the  first  premium  at  New  York  State  Fair,  at  Utica,  Sept., 
1852,  first  premium  and  medal  at  Michigan  State  Fair,  holden  at 
Detroit,  1854 ; also,  the  first  premium  at  Seneca  County  Fair,  Oct. 
1854.  Action  easy  and  graceful.  He  is  a good  horse.  Now 
owned  by  B.  J.  Bidwell,  Tecumseh,  Mich. 

GRANITE  STATE 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Josiah  Cram,  of  Hancock, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Comet,  g sire,  Billy  Root,  g g sire,  Sherman, 
g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  was  sired  by  a horse  called  Tom 
Morgan.  Tom  Morgan  was  sired  by  a horse  called  Briton.  The 
pedigree  of  the  last  two  named  we  do  not  know.  Granite  State  is 
light  chestnut,  and  weighs  1,050  lbs.  His  style  and  action  are  good. 
When  three  years  old,  Mr.  Cram  refused  $800  for  him,  and  still 
owns  him. 

GOLDEN  EAGLE 

Was  foaled  June  21st,  1851,  the  property  of  Jacob  Blake,  of  Sut- 
ton, Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  General,  g sire,  Billy  Root,  g gsire,  Sher- 
man, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  When  four  years  old,  he  was  pur 
chased  by  Wm.  Hill,  of  Sutton,  Yt.,  and  taken  to  Maine.  Dark 
chestnut  color.  Weight  about  1,150  lbs.  Moves  in  good  style,  has 
good  figure,  good  constitution,  and  excellent  limbs.  Mr.  Hill  has 
lately  taken  him  to  Illinois. 

HALL  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  Northumberland,  Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Weight,  1,100  lbs.  Low,  heavy  built,  and  dark 
bay  color.  He  was  owned  and  kept  several  years  by  Mr.  Hall,  of 
Northumberland,  Yt. 


HUBBARD  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  Stratford,  Yt.,  the  property  of  Mr.  Hubbard. 
Sired  by  Bailey  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Chestnut  color.  Weight  1,000  lbs. 


PEDIGREES. 


28T 


HARLOW  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Harlow,  of  Hartland,  Yt.  Sired 
by  Walker  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Weight  1,200  lbs.  Dapple  gray  color.  Action  fine,  and  a sharp 
goer. 

HEBARD  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1827,  the  property  of  Arial  Hall,  of  North  Royal- 
ton,  Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Height  14i 
hands.  Weight,  1,050  lbs.  Color  bay,  black  mane  and  tail.  Died 
in  Williamstown,  Yt.,  in  1854,  the  property  of  Mr.  Hall.  He  was 
a very  valuable  horse,  hardy,  enduring,  with  fine  style  and  action, 
and  a good  roadster.  Left  a great  deal  of  excellent  stock. 

HACKETT  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1832,  the  property  of  Col.  John  Hackett,  of  Han- 
cock, Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam  sired  by  Woodbury.  Height,  141  hands.  Weight,  1,070 
lbs.  Color  chestnut,  thick  set,  compact  horse,  but  style  not  so  fine  as 
some.  Action  good,  and  a horse  of  great  endurance.  He  was  a 
good  roadster,  and  left  excellent  stock.  Died  Feb.,  1850,  the  prop- 
erty of  Mr.  Hackett. 

HAMPDEN 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  Dr.  J.  Holland,  of  Westfield, 
Mass.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam  Polly,  a sharp-going  dark  chestnut  mare,  of  Messenger 
descent,  formerly  owned  by  Messrs.  Morgan  & Stevens,  of  Palmer, 
Mass.  Hampden  is  a dapple  chestnut,  a trifle  over  15  hands  high 
weighs  1,025  lbs.,  has  a very  compact  form,  excellent  constitution, 
pleasant  disposition,  and  is  a good  driver.  He  is  now  owned  by 
N.  B.  Washburn,  Springfield,  Mass. 

HUCKINS  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1844,  the  property  of  Henry  Wooly,  of  Derby, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Huckins  horse  is  a bay,  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  a 
little  over  1,000  lbs.  He  is  full  of  courage  and  life.  Is  now  owned 
in  Topsham,  Yt 


288 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


HUBBARD  HORSE  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Dr.  Frederick  Jones,  of  New 
Ipswich,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Flint  horse,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a superior  animal,  noted  for  fleetness  and 
endurance.  This  horse  is  now  owned  by  George  B.  Hubbard,  of 
Ashby,  Mass.,  is  14  hands  high,  weighs  900  lbs.,  is  of  a rich,  dark- 
brown  color,  compact  and  finely-proportioned,  of  elegant  action, 
and  possesses  the  requisite  points  of  a fleet  horse. 

lYES  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1839,  the  property  of  Julius  Ives,  of  Stanstead, 
0.  E.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  a gray  about  15  hands  high.  Ives  horse  is  a bay, 
about  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  nearly  1,100  lbs.  Style  and 
action  very  good.  He  is  now  owned  in  Oswego,  N.  Y. 

JEMIE 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  Calvin  Blodget,  of  Water- 
bury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  Madam  Lowe.  Sired  by  Woodbury.  Jemieisa 
chestnut,  14|  hands  high,  and  weighs  950  lbs. ; has  no  white  hairs 
on  him  ; is  close  built ; stands  high  forward  ; has  good  style  and 
action,  and  is  a good  driver.  He  is  now  owned  by  John  G.  Sher- 
burn,  and  we  think  is  in  Richmond,  McHenry  Co.,  Illinois. 

JERRY 

Was  foaled  the  18th  of  June,  1849,  the  property  of  Calvin 
Blodget,  of  Waterbury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury, 
g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Hebard  horse,  g dam  by  Bul- 
rush. Jerry  is  chestnut,  with  a little  white  on  one  hind  foot ; 14| 
hands  high,  and  weighs  1,000  lbs. ; heavy  mane  and  tail ; form 
close  and  compact ; good  action,  and  a free,  pleasant  driver. 


KNIGHT’S  HORSE. 

(she  VERMONT  MORGAN  CHAMPION.) 


PEDIGREES. 


289 


KAllBY  HORSE 


AVas  bred  in  Bath,  N.  II.  Sired  by  Bailey  horse,  g sire,  Wood- 
bury, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Chestnut  color,  and  weighs  1,125 
lbs. 


KENT’S  MORGAN 


Was  foaled  in  1844,  the  property  of  Adrial  Kent,  of  Lancaster, 
N.H.  Sired  by  Bailey  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam  by  Sherman  This  horse  weighs  1,050  lbs. ; is  15  hands 
high  ; a deep  bay  color  ; star  in  the  face  and  white  hind  feet ; style 
and  action  good.  Stock  has  proved  excellent.  Is  now  owned  by 
A..  J.  Congdon,  of  Lancaster,  N.  H. 


KITE 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1854,  the  property  of  S.  Langdon,  New 
Haven,  Yt.  Sired  by  Rising  Sun,  g sire,  Black  Hawk,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan  ; dam  sired  by  Beaman  horse, 
he  by  Black  Hawk,  g dam  by  Black  Hawk.  Kite  is  dark  chest- 
nut, 151  hands  high,  and  weighs  880  lbs.  He  is  now  owned  by 
Geo.  L.  Linsley,  Kankakee  City,  Illinois. 


KENT  COLT 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1851,  the  property  of  G.  W.  Kent,  of  New- 
bury, Yt.  Sired  by  Carleton  horse,  or  Fetus  Morgan,  g sire, 
Morgan  Chief,  g g sire.  Bulrush,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam 
by  Sherman.  Kent  Colt  is  a blood  bay,  14J  hands  high,  weighs 
975  lbs,  with  head,  eye,  and  neck  very  fine;  general  figure  and  limbs 
good.  Is  still  owned  by  Mr.  Kent. 

LATHAM  HORSE,  or  MORGAN  CHIEF, 

Was  foaled  at  Wells  River,  Yt.,  the  property  of  Peter  Burbank, 
in  1832.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  known 
as  Empress,  sired  by  Justin  Morgan : 151  hands  high,  weight, 
1,000  lbs.,  and  chestnut  color. 

When  one  year  old,  Mr.  Burbank  sold  him  to  B.  Latham,  Esq. 
of  Lyme,  N.  H.,  for  $150.  In  1841,  Mr.  Latham  sold  him  to  Col 
R.  C.  Sawyer,  of  Newbury,  Yt.,  who  kept  him  till  May,  1847,  when 
13 


290 


THE  MOEGAN  IlOESE, 


he  sold  him  to  Calvin  Blodget,  of  Waterbury,  Yt.  In  June,  1848, 
he  was  sold  to  Messrs.  Wight  & Eldridge,  of  Warren,  Yt.,  who  in 
June,  1852,  sold  him  to  Messrs.  Prescott  & Wilson,  of  Newbury, 
Yt.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  he  was  taken  to  New  Jersey.  He 
was  not  remarkable  for  style  and  action,  but  his  stock  proved 
good. 

LONE  STAB 

Was  foaled  the  6th  June,  1848,  the  property  of  Benj.  B.  Tuttle,  of 
Newmarket,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Estis  horse,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g 
g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Ham,  a chestnut  14^ 
hands  high,  sired  by  Cock  of  the  Eock.  Lone  Star  is  a blood  bay, 
with  small  white  star  in  forehead  ; 15^^  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,065 
lbs.,  and  is  half-brother  to  the  well-known  trotting  mare.  Lady 
Franklin.  He  has  never  been  trained,  but  he  has  a gait  that  indi- 
cates ability  to  trot.  He  is  a fine  horse,  and  is  now  owned  by  Syl- 
vanus  Tuttle,  of  Newmarket,  N.  H. 

LAWTON  HOESE 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1841,  the  property  of  Mr.  Buckman,  of  Bethel, 
Yt.,  and  is  now  owned  by  Messrs.  Woodward  & Flint,  South 
Eoyalston,  Yt.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain,  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g 
sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Ham  sired  by  Morgan 
Eagle.  This  horse  is  15  hands  high  ; weighs  1,100  lbs.,  and  his 
color  is  dapple  bay.  Style  and  action  excellent,  possessing  both  bot- 
tom and  speed. 

LEMON  FAIE 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Bobbins  Battell  of  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Ham  by  Gen.  Whitney’s  Arabian.  He  by  Hey  of 
Algiers,  g dam  by  Huroc. 

MOEGAN  LION 

Was  foaled  May  31st,  1852,  the  property  of  J.  C.  Tibbits,  Esq.,  of 
Sutton,  V t.  Sired  by  Morgan  Gen.,  g sire,  Billy  Boot,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Height,  15J  hands,  grey 


I‘ED1GKEES. 


291 


color,  and  weight  1,150  lbs. ; very  compact,  close-built,  high-head- 
ed, good  acting  horse. 

MOKGAN  TROTTER 

Was  foaled  in  1819  or  '20,  the  property  of  Abel  Whitney,  near 
Chelsea,  Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a 
large  coarse  common  mare,  light  bay ; weight,  1,150  lbs. 

Morgan  Trotter  was  15  hands  high,  and  weighed  1,000  lbs.  ; 
color,  dark  bay ; remarkably  strong,  cordy  limbs ; a very  hard 
driver  and  fast  trotter.  Charles  Johnson  bought  him  about  1823 
or  ’24,  and  owned  him  four  or  five  years,  then  sold  him  to  go  to 
Maine. 

MORGAN  KING. 

(see  SHERMAN  KING.) 

MORGAN  RAT 

Was  foaled  in  1822,  the  property  of  Judge  Baldwin,  of  Strafford, 
Y t.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  J ustin  Morgan.  When  young  he  was 
taken  to  Maine,  and  kept  in  the  vicinity  of  Norv/ay,  Stanwich  and 
Gray.  His  stock  was  small,  but  invariably  good  roadsters,  with  fine 
action.  He  v/as  brownish  chestnut  color ; 13 J hands  high,  and 
weighed  850  lbs. ; with  a symmetrical  figure,  he  had  a long  body, 
which  gave  him  his  name.  He  was  very  gentle  and  very  spirited. 

MAY-FLY 

Was  foaled  in  1848.  Sired  by  Farmer’s  Beauty,  g sire,  Gifford, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by 
Wild  Hawk  of  the  Prairie,  said  to  be  a thorough-bred  English 
horse,  owned  by  Josiah  Chase,  Princeton,  Mass.  May-Fly  weighs 
900  lbs.,  and  is  of  bay  color.  He  is  now  owned  by  Chas.  Perley, 
Boxford,  Mass.  Is  a good-tempered,  fine-acting  horse. 

MOODY  HORSE. 

(see  ENFIELD  HORSE.) 

MORGAN  TIGER. 

(see  tiger.) 


292 


THE  MOKGAN  HORSE. 


MORGAN  CiESAR 

Was  foaled  in  1828,  the  property  of  Simon  Smith,  of  Hartland, 
Vi.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Quick 
Silver,  g dam  bred  by  John  G.  Bond,  Keene,  N.  H.,  and  by  Morton’s 
Traveller.  (Not  the  Morton’s  Traveller  of  the  Stud  Book.) 
This  horse  was  15^-  hands  high,  weight,  1,150  lbs.  He  was 
free  from  long  hairs,  had  a fine  head,  ears  and  neck  ; mane  and  tail 
not  as  thick  as  is  common.  He  was  a fast  driver,  could  go  a mile 
in  three  minutes,  and  in  March,  1844,  was  driven  from  Piermont  to 
Wentworth,  N.  H.,  a distance  of  12  miles,  with  two  men  in  a 
sleigh,  in  44  minutes.  In  1833  or  ’34  he  was  taken  to  Maine  by 
Spaulding  .Smith,  of  Wilton,  Maine,  and  sold  by  him  to  Gen.  John 
M.  Eustis,  of  that  State,  for  a parade  horse.  He  remained  there 
till  1842,  and  sired  some  excellent  stock,  of  which  was  the  celebrated 
trotting  horse  Mac,  also  the  noted  trotter,  Pizarro,  and  a mare 
known  as  the  Robert’s  Mare,  very  fast,  and  reputed  to  trot  a mile  in 
2.35.  The  administrators  of  Gen  Eustis’  estate  sold  him  to  Manly 
Herriman,  of  Bradford,  Y t.  He  afterwards  passed  through  several 
hands,  until  in  March,  1846,  he  was  purchased  by  Jesse  Johnson 
& Brothers,  who  kept  him  till  he  died,  June  1848.  His  stock  sold 
high ; many  geldings  brought  from  $300  to  $1,000  each.  This 
horse  was  known  in  Maine  by  the  name  of  Morgan  Post  Boy. 

MATCHLESS 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  William  M.  Parker,  of  Con- 
cord, N.H.  Sired  by  Prince  Albert,  g sire.  Green  Mountain  2d,  g 
g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Blood  bay  color,  with  black  legs ; 14s  hands  high,  and  weighs  900  lbs. 
Fine  style  and  action.  He  is  a fine,  symmetrical  animal,  with  small, 
finely-shaped  head  and  ear.  Promises  to  be  fast.  Dam  of  Match- 
less was  formerly  owned  by  Hiram  Woodruff.  She  was  a cele- 
brated roadster,  and  was  half-sister  to  the  great  Trustee.  She  was 
black,  about  14J  hands  high. 

MODEL  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1850,  the  property  of  Dr.  Lemuel  Richmond,  of 
Derby ,Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 


PEDIGKEES. 


293 


Morgan.  Dam  by  White  Mountain  Morgan,  g dam  by  Eoyal 
Morgan.  Model  is  14  hands  high,  and  weighs  950  lbs. ; his  color  is 
dark  mahogany  bay,  with  very  bushy,  beautifully  black  mane  and 
tail.  He  was  exhibited  at  the  Vermont  State  Fair  in  1853,  and  the 
Committee  in  their  Eeport  to  the  Society  say,  “ that  he  possesses 
as  many,  or  more,  of  the  traits  of  the  old  Sherman,  than  any  other 
horse  on  the  grounds.” 

MOEGAN  STAE 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  in  the  town  of  Shelburn,  Mass.  Sired  by 
Deerfield  Morgan,  g sire.  Green  Mountain  2d,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g 
g sire,  VVoodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Cock 
of  the  Eock,  g dam  by  Magnum  Bonum.  Morgan  Star  is  15  hands 
high  ; weighs  1,050  lbs. ; his  color  is  a dark  dapple  bay.  With  a 
symmetrical  figure,  he  has  fine  style  and  action.  Is  now  owned  in 
Atwater,  Ohio. 

MOEGAN  CHAMPION. 

(see  VERMONT  MORGAN  CHAMPION.) 

MOEGAN  NAPOLEON 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  A.  C.  Palmer,  of  Charlotte, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk  Prophet,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Napoleon  is  16  hands  high, 
and  weighs  1,050  lbs. ; his  color  is  jet  black,  good  mane  and  tail. 
He  has  a fine  open  gait,  but  has  never  been  trained  to  trot.  Ee- 
ceived  the  first  premium  in  the  class  three  years  old,  at  the  last 
Vermont  State  Fair.  He  is  a fine  horse. 

MELVIN  HOESE 

Was  foaled  in  1838,  the  property  of  Mr.  Melvin,  of  Charlestown, 
Vt.  Sired  by  Eoyal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  was  a light  gray,  15  hands  high  ; weight,  900 
lbs.  Melvin  horse  is  a light  gray ; 151  hands  high,  and  weighs 
over  1,100  lbs.  .Style  and  action  excellent.  He  is  now  owned  in 
Kalamazoo,  Michigan. 

MOEGAN  COMET. 

(see  IVES  HORSE.) 


294 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


MOEGAN  CHIEF. 

(see  lath  an  horse.) 

MEREIMAN  HOESE 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  L.  Merriman,  of  Stanstead, 
0.  E.  Sired  by  Eoyal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  a chestnut,  weighs  about  900  lbs,  sired  by  Sir  Eichard. 
Merriman  horse  is  a bay,  14  hands  high,  weighs  975  lbs,,  good 
style,  and  a good  traveller.  He  is  now  owned  by  Robert  Trumbull, 
of  Belle  Centre,  Ohio. 

MORGAN  FIGURE 

Was  foaled  in  1850,  the  property  of  Solomon  Steele,  of  Beebe 
Plains,  C.  E.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a black,  sired  by  Piermont  Morgan,  g dam 
sired  by  Hawkins’  horse.  Morgan  Figure  is  a jet  black,  14  hands 
high ; weighs  950  lbs.  He  is  an  excellent  horse,  compact,  with 
plenty  of  bone,  clean,  sinewy  legs,  with  fine  style  and  pleasant  tem- 
per ; he  is  a good  roadster.  He  is  still  the  property  of  Mr.  Steele. 

MORGAN  POST  BOY. 

(see  MORGAN  CiESAR.) 

MORGAN  DEFIANCE. 

(see  brock  horse.) 

MORGAN  DRAGON 

Was  foaled  in  July,  1853,  the  property  of  Gen.  Silas  M.  Bur- 
roughs, Medina,  N.  Y.  Sired  by  young  Black  Hawk,  g sire.  Black 
Hawk,  g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Im- 
ported Emigrant. 

MORGAN  DEFIANCE 

Was  foaled  June  14th,  1844,  the  property  of  Harvey  Nobles,  of 
Hartford,  Yt.  Sired  by  the  Dennison  horse  or  Gold  Finder.  Dam, 
celebrated  stock  and  road  mare.  Old  Lady  Morgan  ; sired  by  Sher- 
man. Morgan  Defiance  is  a jet  black,  15  hands  high,  and  weighs 


PEDIGREES. 


295 


1,030  lbs.,  compact,  well-formed  figure,  and  high  carriage.  He  is 
now  owned  bj  an  Association  in  Northfield,  Yt. 

MOEGAN  EAGLE 

Was  foaled  in  1827,  the  property  of  Daniel  Morgan,  of  Eoyalton, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  blood  bay, 
of  1,000  pounds  weight ; an  excellent  roadster,  but  blood  unknown. 

Eagle  was  14J  hands  high,  and  weighed  about  1,100  lbs. ; dapple 
bay,  high  style,  fine  action,  and  free,  pleasant  driver.  Morgan  sold 
him  to  Mr.  Sprague,  of  Eandolph,  Yt,  In  1832  Mr.  Sprague  sold 
him  to  Philip  Farnham,  of  Turnbridge,  Yt.  Mr.  Farnham  kept 
him  till  1839,  and  sold  him  to  A.  M.  Foster,  of  Barre,  Yt.,  and  he 
kept  him  till  he  died,  in  1840.  The  stock  of  Morgan  Eagle  were 
compact,  rugged  horses,  and  fine  drivers.  Morgan  Eagle  was  the 
sire  of  Lady  Sutton. 

MOEGAN  EMPEEOE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Hough,  of  Lebanon,  M.H.  Sired 
by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Imported  Prince 
William,  formerly  kept  at  Hartford,  Conn.  Emperor  was  15  J hands 
high,  and  weighed  1,025  lbs.,  color  blood  bay.  Jesse  Johnson  and 
Brothers  kept  him  one  year  in  Burlington,  Yt.,  in  1835,  and  while 
there  he  trotted  a mile  in  2 min.  55  sec.  Afterwards  they  kept  him  in 
Bradford  two  years,  when  he  was  sold  to  Messrs.  Hamet  and  But- 
ler, of  Burlington,  Yt.  In  1837  he  went  to  Chicago.  Sired  Chi- 
cago Jack,  gelding,  and  North  Star,  who  took  the  second  premium 
at  the  National  Fair  in  Springfield,  Mass. ; also  the  Tillitson 
horse,  who  trotted  a mile  in  2 min.  40  sec.,  on  Cambridge  Park 
Course,  in  September,  1843.  From  Chicago  he  returned  to  Bur- 
lington, and  went  from  there  to  Petersham,  Mass.,  where  he  died  in 
the  autumn  of  1853.  He  was  close  and  compact,  with  good  figure  ; 
had  a very  heavy  mane  and  tail,  went  with  mouth  wide  open,  and 
more  from  the  whip  than  from  spirit 


MOEGAN  ECLIPSE 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  J.  & E.  C.  Johnson,  of  Brad- 
ford, Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Caesar,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin 


296 


^JHE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Morgan.  Eclipse  was  own  brother  to  Morgan  Traveller,  15  hands 
high,  and  weighed  991  lbs. ; color,  beautiful  chestnut.  Was  sold  in 
1 834  to  an  Agricultural  Society  in  New-Brunswick,  for  over  $2,000. 
His  stock  have  taken  several  premiums  at  State  Fairs  in  Vermont. 
At  the  Fair  at  Brattleboro  three  of  his  colts  took  premiums,  be- 
sides two  mares  with  foals  by  their  side  from  him.  He  was  a very 
fine  horse.  Pedigree  of  dam,  see  Traveller. 

MOEGAN  EMPIRE 

Was  foaled  in  1845,  the  property  of  Charles  Gates,  of  Petersham, 
Mass.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire, Wood- 
bury, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Morgan  Empire  is  15  J hands  high, 
and  weighs  a little  under  1,100  lbs. ; is  a horse  of  good  action,  and 
very  muscular.  He  is  nov/  owned  by  G.  W.  Chamberlain,  of  Walt- 
ham, Mass. ; is  a good  horse,  and  has  a good  reputation  for  stock. 

MOEGAN  EMPEROR  2d 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1849,  the  property  of  Josiah  White,  of 
Petersham,  Mass.  Sired  by  Morgan  Emperor,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Bam  said  to  be  by  Sherman.  Morgan  Emperor 
is  a deep  bay,  15  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,075  lbs.  He  is  a strong, 
well-formed,  fine  moving  horse.  In  1855  he  took  two  premiums, 
one  at  United  States  Fair  in  Boston,  and  one  at  Worcester,  Mass. 
He  is  now  owned  by  Harrison  Bacon,  of  Barre,  Mass. 

MORGAN  HUNTER 

Was  foaled  in  1844,  the  property  of  Mr.  Exwell,  of  Springfield, 
Vt.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Bam  sired  by  Gifford.  Hunter  is  14|  hands  high,  and  of  chestnut 
color.  Messrs.  Ackley  & Gilbert,  of  East  Hamilton,  Madison  Co., 
N.  Y.,  purchased  him  in  May,  1849,  but  he  is  now  owned  by 
Messrs.  Farriss  and  Cook,  of  Charlottesville,  Ya.  Is  a horse  of 
beautiful  figure  and  fine  action. 

MORGAN  CHIEF 

Was  foaled  June  18th,  1847.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury, 
g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Bam  sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g dam 


207 


rKDiGi{Ki;s. 

by  Messenger.  Height  14^  hands,  weight  9G0  lbs.,  color  light 
brown,  with  small  star  in  his  forehead.  Owned  by  H.  11.  Ackley, 
of  East  Hamilton,  Madison  Co.,  N.  Y.  Morgan  Chief  lost  one 
eye  by  an  accident. 

MOEGAN  BOBBIN 

Was  foaled  in  1827,  the  property  of  Mr.  Chamberlain,  of  Danville, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Jus- 
tin Morgan.  This  horse  was  14|-  hands  high,  weighed  1,000  lbs., 
color  bright  bay,  black  mane  and  tail,  with  all  his  legs  white  half 
up  to  his  knees.  Eemarkably  fine  style,  great  deal  of  bone  and 
muscle,  perfectly  gentle,  good  roadster,  and  fine  horse.  Mr.  Allen 
kept  him  till  1853,  when  he  sold  him  to  L.  D.  Ide,  of  Lyndon,  Yt., 
who  kept  him  till  he  died,  the  next  autumn,  fie  was  kept  at 
Keene,  Lynn,  and  Walpole,  N.  H.,  and  at  St.  Johnsbury,  Yt.  He 
was  sold  when  young,  and  owned  by  Mather  Allen,  of  Guildhall, 
Yt.,  for  many  years. 

MOEGAN  EATTLEE. 

(see  royal  MORGAN.) 

MOEGAN  EECEUIT 

Was  foaled  in  July,  1851,  the  property  of  Ebenezer  Bridges,  of 
Pomfret,  Yt.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan,  g dam  by  Woodbury.  Ee- 
cruit  is  dark  chestnut,  14  hands  high,  weighs  1,020  lbs.,  thick  set, 
with  good  limbs,  short  head,  open  nostrils,  face  dishing,  wide  be- 
tween eyes,  and  very  heavy  mane  and  tail.  Now  owned  by 
E.  Bridges,  of  Pomfret,  Yt. 

MOEGAN  TIGEE  1st 

Was  foaled  in  1827,  in  Whitefield,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Cock  of  the 
Eock,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  the 
noted  Bellfouuder.  Tiger  was  a gray  roan,  154  hands  high,  and 
weighed  1,025  lbs.  He  was  a very  hardy,  enduring  horse,  full  of 
courage,  and  good  action.  At  four  years  old  he  was  sold  to  Judge 
Sumner,  of  Charlestown,  N.  H.  Judge  Sumner  kept  him  a num- 
ber of  years,  and  then  sold  him  to  some  one  in  Boston  for  a parade 

13* 


293 


tup:  MOliGAN  HORSE. 


horse.  He  remained  in  Boston  several  years,  until,  his  stock 
proving  excellent,  he  was  hunted  up  and  brought  back  to  Corinth, 
Yt.,  by  Daniel  Batchelder,  of  that  place.  He  remained  in  Orange 
Co.,  Yt.,  and  Grafton  Co.,  N.  H.,  until  his  death  in  1850.  He  left 
good  stock. 

MOEGAN  BUCEPHALUS 

Was  foaled  in  1853,  the  property  of  Geo.  W.  Cook,  of  Fairlee, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Eclipse,  g sire,  Morgan  Caesar,  g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Woodbury.  Color 
chestnut,  14  hands  high,  weighs  900  lbs.,  has  a white  stripe  on  the 
nose. 

MOEGAN  GENEEAL 

Was  foaled  in  1845,  the  property  of  Lowell  Spencer,  of  Concord, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Billy  Boot,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  a very  large  mare,  fast  for  her  size,  sired  by  Black 
Prince,  dam  still  living,  26  years  old.  General  weighs  1,200  lbs., 
is  15 J hands  high,  and  chestnut  color.  He  is  a very  bold  look- 
ing horse,  fine  style,  and  good  action  for  a horse  of  his  size ; very 
compact,  limbs  excellent,  but  have  some  long  hair  on  them.  Is  a 
good  horse.  He  is  now  owned  by  Wm.  Hill,  Oregon  City,  111. 

MOEGAX  EATTLEE 

Was  foaled  June  1st,  1850,  the  property  of  Jonathan  Brewster,  of 
Worthington,  Mass.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a fast-trot- 
ting dark  bay,  sired  by  Eattler.  This  horse  is  a dark  bay,  15i  hands 
high,  and  is  now  owned  by  A.  W.  Kellogg,  of  Chicago,  Illinois. 
At  the  Housatonic  Fair,  held  at  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  in  1854, 
and  at  Eutland,  Yt.,  County  Fair,  the  same  year,  he  received  the 
first  premium. 

MAJOE 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  Eobbins  Battell,  of  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Sired  by  Eaven,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire,  Sherman, 
g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a Narragansett  pacer.  We  have 
no  further  description  of  this  horse,  but  we  believe  he  is  a good  one. 


PEDIGREES. 


299 


MORGAN  SULTAN 

Was  foaled  22d  May,  1846.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury, 
g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  sired  by  Gifford.  Sultan  was 
a dapple  chestnut. 

MORGAN  TRUSTEE 

Was  foaled  May  16th,  1848.  Sired  by  Gifford,  g sire,  Woodbury, 
g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Bulrush,  g dam  by  Morgan 
Fortune,  g g dam  by  Justin  Morgan.  Trustee  was  a dark  bay, 
black  mane,  legs  and  tail,  and  a fine  horse. 

MAJOR  GIFFORD 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  Mr.  Ellis,  of  Springfield,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Gen.  Gifford,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Spectator,  and  he  by  one  of  Mes- 
senger’s sons. 

At  three  years  old  Mr.  Ellis  sold  him  to  Calvin  Blodget,  of  Wat- 
erbury,  Yt.  In  1847,  ’48,  and  ’49,  he  was  kept  at  Chelsea,  Yt., 
and  in  the  fall  of  1849,  at  the  New  York  State  Fair  at  Syracuse, 
Mr.  Blodget  sold  a half  interest  in  him  to  A.  Mason,  of  Jordan, 
New  York,  and  in  1856  sold  the  remaining  interest  to  the  same 
gentleman. 

MOUNTAIN  EAGLE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Buckminster,  of  Danville,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Lady  Empress, 
an  English  mare.  Eagle  is  a dark  chestnut,  15  J hands  high,  and 
weighs  1,050  lbs.  Amos  Kendall  took  him  to  Jefferson  County, 
New  York.  When  we  last  heard  from  him  he  was  owned  by  Mar- 
tin Hungerford,  Watertown,  Jefferson  Co.,  New  York.  Yery 
showy,  and  active  horse. 

MORGAN  CHIEFTAIN 

Was  foaled  in  September,  1853,  the  property  of  W.  P.  Balch,  of 
Boston,  Mass.  Sired  by  Comet,  g sire,  Billy  Root,  g g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  raised  in  Bradford  ; sired 
by  Woodbury  ; could  trot  a mile  in  three  minutes,  and  was  a fast 


300 


THE  MOEGAN  HORSE. 


traveller.  Chieftain  is  a dark  dapple  chestnut.  He  is  a stout, 
thick-built  horse,  and  when  26  months  old  weighed  930  lbs.  He 
carries  a high  head,  and  has  a small  ear.  He  is  a promising  horse. 
He  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Balch,  and  is  kept  in  Hancock,  N.  H.,  by 
Hiram  Fuller. 

MORGAN  BLACK  HAWK 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  G.  Ramsdale,  New  Ipswich, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Anglo  Saxon,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a noted  mare,  of  Sherman 
Morgan  blood. 

Morgan  Black  Hawk  is  15J  hands  high  ; weighs  1,030  lbs.  His 
color  is  dark,  dappled  bay.  A fine,  compact-looking  horse,  and  a 
good  traveller. 


MESSER  HORSE. 

(see  SHERMAN  MORGAN.) 

MORGAN  TRAVELER 

Was  foaled  in  1847,  the  property  of  J.  & R.  C.  Johnson,  of  Brad- 
ford, Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Cassar,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Jus- 
tin Morgan.  Dam,  known  as  Lady  Clifton,  sired  by  Americam 
Eclipse.  Morgan  Traveller  is  a beautiful  dark  chestnut,  15  hands 
high,  weighs  1,000  lbs.,  and  is  a horse  of  very  fine  form  and  excel- 
lent action. 

MORGAN  TRAVELER  2d 

Was  foaled  in  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1850.  Sired  by 
Mountain  Eagle,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  He  is 
dark  chestnut,  16  hands  high,  and  well  proportioned.  Took  the 
first  premium  at  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Fair,  in  1852. 

MYRICK  HORSE. 

(see  SHERMAN  BLACK  HAWK.) 

MORGAN  TALLY  HO. 

(see  walker  HORSE.) 


MORGAN  COxMET 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  in  St.  Jolinsbury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Billy  Root, 
g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a half-blood 
English  mare.  He  is  well-proportioned,  a good  traveller,  moves  in 
beautiful  style,  thoroughly  broken,  can  be  driven  by  anybody. 
His  stock  is  good,  and  he  is  a fineJiorse.  He  is  chestnut,  about 
15  hands  high,  and  weighs  about  1,000  lbs.  He  is  now  owned  by 
A.  H.  Wilcox,  St.  Johnsbury,  Yt. 

MORRILL  HORSE 

Was  sired  by  Jennison  horse,  g sire.  Young  Bulrush,  g g sire.  Bul- 
rush, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Farrington  horse, 
he  by  Yance  horse,  and  Yance  horse  by  Imported  Messenger. 
Morrill  horse  is  thirteen  years  old,  a jet  black  color,  and  weighs 
1,225  lbs.  He  is  a powerful  and  fast-trotting  horse, 

MORGAN  TIGER  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1827,  the  property  of  Major  Ford,  of  Braintree, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  About  1831  he 
was  sent  to  Charlestown,  Mass.,  and  was  kept  at  Col.  Jaques,  where 
he  remained  ten  years.  In  1843  he  was  bought  by  Mr.  Howe,  of 
Bridport,  Yt.  ; and  brought  into  Bridport,  Addison  county,  where 
he  was  kept  two  seasons.  He  was  a superior  horse  ; and  when  four 
years  old,  was  valued  at  $1,000.  His  color  was  dark  bay,  with 
two  or  three  white  feet,  star  in  the  forehead,  and  heavy  curly  black 
mane  and  tail ; was  14|  hands  high  ; weight,  975  lbs.  His  action 
was  good  ; he  was  not  fast,  but  hardy  and  enduring  ; he  was  old, 
when  we  first  saw  him,  and  was  foundered. 

MORGAN  FUSION 

Was  foaled  May  7th,  1856,  the  property  of  H.  B.  Munson,  of 
Seymour,  Conn.  Sired  by  Raven,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  Dolly  Hale,  was  sired 
by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g dam  by  Young  American  Eclipse,  g g 
dam,  Imported  Silk  Stockings.  Dolly  Hale  was  half  brother  to  the 
celebrated  trotting  horse  Ripton. 


302 


THE  ]\[OHGAN  HOUSE. 


MOUNTAINEER 

Was  foaled  July  15th,  1854,  the  property  of  Ira  Gifford,  of 
New  Haven,  Vt.  Sired  by  Rising  Sun,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g 
sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Wheeler 
horse,  g dam  by  Hebard  horse. 

Mountaineer  is  dapple  chestnut,  without  marks.  Above  medium 
size,  with  excellent  limbs,  good  style  of  action,  and  is  a promising 
colt. 

NEWTON  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  Haverhill,  N.  II.  Sired  by  Bailey  horse,  g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Weight,  1,100  lbs.  Color, 
chestnut. 

NORTH  HORSE. 

(see  SHERMAN  BLACK  HAWK.) 

NEWEL’S  GRAY 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Stiles,  of  Waterbury,  Yt.  Sired 
by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  of  brown  color,  large 
and  heavy.  Sired  by  Yance  horse  (Yance  horse  v^as  gray)  ; he 
by  old  Phoenix.  Newel’s  Gray  was  gray;  15  J hands  high;  fine 
figure  with  a great  deal  of  fire  and  spirit,  but  wanted  bone.  He 
took  his  name  from  T.  Newel,  who  owned  him  for  a long  time.  He 
was  burned  in  the  stable  of  Mr.  Sparhawk,  of  Walpole,  N.  H.,  in 
1838  or  ’39.  Mr.  Sparhawk  purchased  him  of  John  Bellows. 

NORTH  STAR 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  David  Lincoln,  of  Greenwich,  Mass. 
Sired  by  Morgan  Emperor,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  a bay.  He  took  the  second  premium  at  the  National  Fair 
at  Springfield;  Mass.,  1854.  He  is  a bright  bay ; weighs  l,0601bs. ; 
black  and  curly  mane  and  tail.  He  is  a very  symmetrical,  well-shaped 
horse,  with  fine  bold  style  and  excellent  action  ; and  is  now  owned 
by  Henry  Olmstead,  East  Hartford,  Conn. 


NEARING  HORSE. 

(see  ADDISON.) 


PEDIGREES. 


308 


NILES  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1846,  the  property  of  Daniel  Niles,  of  Canada 
East.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g.  sire,  Sherman,  g g sire  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  brown  ; 15  hands  high  ; weight  about  1,000  lbs. 
Sired  by  Black  Snake.  He  by  Prince  Lee  Boo.  Niles  horse  is  a 
black,  15i  hands  high ; weighs  about  1,100  lbs.,  with  good  style 
and  action.  He  is  now  owned  by  Daniel  Niles. 

NICHOLAS 

Was  foaled  in  1853,  in  Norfolk,  Conn.  Sired  by  “ Raven,’^  g sire, 
Black  Hawk,  g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Owned  by  Harman  Hamlin,  Canton,  N.  Y. 

NIMROD 

Was  foaled  in  1824.  Sired  by  True  American,  and  he  by 
Quicksilver.  Dam  a bay,  sired  by  Justin  Morgan,  g dam  an 
English  mare.  He  was  jet  black ; 15|  hands  high,  and  weighed 
1,150  lbs.  Was  a ho^se  of  good  style  and  action,  and  left  some 
excellent  stock.  He  died  at  East  Berkshire  in  May,  1854,  where 
he  had  been  kept  for  seventeen  years,  by  Mr.  Joseph  Smith. 

ONE-EYE 

Was  foaled  May  20th,  1834,  the  property  of  Moses  Chamberlain 
of  Bradford,  Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam 
by  “ Postboy.”  This  horse  is  14 J hands  high,  weighs  975  lbs.,  and 
is  of  mahogany  bay  color.  A very  fine  horse,  good  style  and  ac- 
tion. Stepped  light,  but  was  not  fast ; was  kept  as  a stock  horse 
in  New  Jersey.  Lost  one  eye  when  two  years  old,  the  consequence 
of  a boy  throwing  a stone  at  him.  In  1846  Geo.  W.  Kilburn,  now 
living  at  Papermill  Tillage,  N.  EL,  bought  him  of  Rufus  Calhoun, 
and  kept  him  till  1852,  when  he  sold  him  to  Joseph  Peters  of  Brad- 
ford, Yt.,  and  from  Peters  he  went  to  Ne^v  Jersey. 

ORLEANS  FLYING  MORGAN 
Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  Dr.  Samuel  Richmond,  of 
Derby,  Y t.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a dark  bay,  sired  by  Gifford.  He  is  14 J 


304 


THE  MOHGAN  HORSE. 


hands  high,  and  weighs  975  lbs. ; color,  bright  bay  ; white  hind 
feet,  and  a little  white  in  the  face.  A very  lively,  active  horse,  of 
fine  style.  His  stock  excellent,  and  sell  well. 

OLD  MORRELL  HORSE 

Was  foaled  about  1830,  the  property  of  Mr.  Morell.  Sired  by 
Woodburv. 

PIKE  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Philander  Robbins,  of  Chelsea,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Clarke  horse,  gsire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 

PUTNAM  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1825,  the  property  of  Putnam  & Hitchcock,  of 
Bethel,  Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
an  English  blood  mare,  bred  by  Col.  Ray,  of  Fort  Ann,  N.  Y.,  and 
called  Nancy,  sired  by  the  celebrated  horse  Chanticleer,  g dam  by 
Imported  Messenger.  He  was  kept  in  Bethel  and  neighboring 
towns  most  of  his  life,  and  died  in  June,  1855,  the  property  of  David 
W.  Cowdry,  of  Tunbridge,  Yt.  Weight  1,000  lbs. ; dark  chestnut 
color,  with  a few  white  hairs  in  his  face  between  the  eyes.  A fine 
horse,  and  left  excellent  stock.  Style,  action  and  appearance  much 
like  Woodbury.  Was  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  of  his  sons. 

PAUL  CLIFFORD 

Was  foaled  in  1843.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Young  Hamiltonian.  He  by 
Bishop’s  Hamiltonian,  and  he  by  Imported  Messenger.  Grand 
dam  by  Leonidas,  an  imported  horse.  Color,  mahogany  bay,  15  J 
hands  high.  Now  owned  by  Messrs.  Hunsden  & Wilcox,  of  Oswego, 
Tioga  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  is  a very  fine  horse,  and  received  the  first 
premium  at  the  National  Fair,  Springfield,  Mass,  in  1854. 

PRINCE  ALBERT 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1846,  the  property  of  Joel  Hayward,  of  Ashby, 
Mass.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Wood- 
bury, g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Messenger  ; 14J  hands 
high  ; weight,  1,000  lbs. ; color,  bay.  Prince  Albert  is  dark  chest- 


PEDIGREPJS. 


305 


nut,  14^  hands  higli,  weighs  1,010  lbs.  Ilis  style  and  action  are 
very  spirited.  lie  is  pleasant-tenipered  and  very  playful.  His 
stock  is  good  and  sell  well.  He  was  kept  in  Malone,  N.  Y.,  in  the 
season  of  1854  and  ’55,  and  is  there  at  this  time,  but  is  owned  by 
S.  F.  Wright,  Nashua,  N.  H. 

PEACOCK  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Hon.  Milo  Bennett,  of 
Burlington,  Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan.  Dam,  a high- blood 
Woodbury  Morgan  mare.  Peacock  is  14 J hands  high,  weighs  925 
lbs. ; color,  very  dark  chestnut.  He  is  lively,  pleasant,  full  of  ac- 
tion and  easily  controlled  ; is  a compact,  hardy  horse,  with  excel- 
lent limbs,  fine  style,  and  a pleasant  driver.  Still  owned  by  Mr. 
Bennett,  Burlington,  Yt. 


PLATO 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Messrs.  Grosvenor,  of  Shoreham, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Havv^k,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  a large  bay  mare  by  Sir  Charles,  g dam  by  Post-boy. 
Sir  Charles  was  by  Duroc.  Plato  is  16  hands  high  ; a jet  black, 
and  weighs  1,100  lbs.  Trotted  repeatedly  when  three  years  old  a 
half  mile  in  1.25.  Now  owned  by  D.  A.  Bennett  & Co.,  of  Brid- 
port,  Yt,  and  is  a fine  horse.  Post-boy  was  by  imported  Diomede. 
Dam  of  Sir  Charles,  by  Plato,  a son  of  Imported  Messenger. 

POPE  HORSE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Joseph  Pope,  of  Danville,  Yt.  Sired 
by  Sherman,  g sire  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  old  Poppet,  sired  by 
Justin  Morgan.  Dark  chestnut  color,  small  star  in  forehead,  stifle 
thin,  quarters  light,  back  rather  long ; eye,  ear,  head  and  neck 
exceedingly  beautiful ; high,  sharp  withers,  roomy  chest,  fore'  legs 
good,  hind  legs  crooked,  hocks  wide  apart  and  feet  close  ; very  high 
carriage  and  very  spirited.  At  five  years  old,  sold  to  a British 
officer  in  Canada  for  a riding  horse. 

PUTNAM  HORSE  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1845,  the  property  of  Benj.  G.  Putnam,  of  North 
Orange,  Yt.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire, 


306 


THE  MOEGAH  HORSE. 


Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a gray  ; said  to  be  of 
Messenger  stock.  Putnam  is  fifteen  hands  high,  weighs  1,150  lbs. ; 
color,  dapple  gray.  Perfectly  gentle  and  well  broken  ; good  driver 
and  good  under  the  saddle.  Still  owned  by  Mr.  Putnam. 

PLEASANT  GALE 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  Robbins  Battell,  of  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  Jr.,  g sire.  Black  Hawk,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Long’s  Eclipse. 

PETERS  MORGAN 

Was  sired  by  Morgan  Chief,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam  by  Gold  Finder. 

PRESIDENT 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  H.  Crane,  now  of  Albion, 
Mich.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  was  a large  light  gray,  of  Messenger  descent,  16 
hands  high. 

President  is  16  hands  high,  weighs  1,050  lbs.,  is  jet  black,  and  a 
horse  of  firm  action  and  good  style.  Was  sold  when  six  years  old,  and 
taken  to  Napierville,  111.  When  seven  years  old,  he  was  purchased 
by  H.  Benson,  of  Hinesburgh,  Yt.  He  v/as  awarded  the  first  pre- 
mium in  the  class  of  three  years’  old  stallions,  by  the  Michigan  State 
Agricultural  Society  ; and  also  the  first  premium  as  the  best  stal- 
lion at  the  Washtenavv^  Co.  Fair,  Mich. 

PARKS  HORSE 

Was  sired  by  Green  Mountain  1st,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Color,  chestnut ; not  fast,  but  in  style  and  action  not 
easily  surpassed.  Weight,  925  lbs. 

RANDOLPH  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1819  or  ’20,  in  Randolph,  Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan ; 13f  hands  high,  weight  925  lbs.,  color  bay  ; 
stock  fine.  Y^as  kept  in  Randolph,  Northfield,  and  neighboring 
towns. 


PEDIGREES. 


307 


RIP  VAN  WINKLE 

Was  foaled  in  1852  ; the  property  of  Smith  & Thurber,  of  Rouse’s 
Point,  N.  Y.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Color  black,  with  stripe  in  face,  and  some  white  on 
feet.  “ Size,  large,  will  make  a horse  of  1,100  lbs.  When  18  months 
old,  he  trotted  a fourth  mile  on  the  ice  in  50  s.,  and  when  three 
years  old,  he  trotted  one-half  mile  in  1 m.  22  s.  He  is  now  owned 
by  E.  A.  North,  of  Champlain,  N.  Y.” 

ROLLAND  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1846  ; the  property  of  Ezekiel  White,  of  Tospham, 
Vt.  Sired  by  the  Bailey  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Carson  horse.  Height  14 J hands,  weight 
975  lbs.,  color  chestnut,  white  fore  feet,  and  white  stripe  in  face. 
Now  owned  by  T.  & D.  Rolland,  of  Corinth,  Yt.  He  took  the 
second  premium  in  his  class,  at  the  last  Yt.  State  Fair.  He  is  a 
smart  trotter,  spirited  and  stylish. 

ROBIN 

Was  foaled  in  1846,  sired  by  Flying  Morgan,  g sire,  Hackett  horse, 
g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire  Woodbury,  g g g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  sired  by  Cock  of  the  Rock.  15  hands  high,  and  sorrel 
chestnut  color.  Time  on  Cambridge  Course,  2 ms.  45  s.  Sold, 
in  1854,  in  Boston,  for  $2000.  Now  owned  by  Mr.  Snow. 

ROUNDS  COLT 

Was  foaled  in  1848.  Sired  by  Flying  Morgan,  g sire,  Hackett 
horse,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Flarris  horse.  Color  black  ; 15 i hands 
high.  This  horse  was  sold  in  New  York  city  for  $1,500.  A 
quarter  crack  was  discovered  after  sale,  and  he  was  taken  back. 

RAMSEY  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1839  ; the  property  of  Robert  Ramsey,  of  Derby 
Yt.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  a chestnut ; weight  about  900  lbs.  Ramsey 


808 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


horse  is  a chestnut,  15  J hands  high,  weighs  1,100  lbs.,  with  fair 
style  and  action.  Is  now  owned  West. 

ROMEO  1st 

Was  foaled  April  30th,  1848  ; the  property  of  Silas  Hale,  of  South 
Royalston,  Mass.  Sired  by  Green  Mt.  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Sherman,  g 
dam  a Messenger  mare.  Mr.  Hale  kept  Romeo  until  September 
2d,  1852,  when  he  sold  him  to  S.  H.  Edgerly,  Esq.,  of  Manchester, 
N.  H.,  for  $600.  Mr.  Edgerly  kept  him  until  March  22d,  1854, 
when  he  sold  him  to  Edward  C.  Davis,  of  Dubuque,  Iowa<  for 
$1,500,  and  he  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Davis.  In  1853,  Romeo  re- 
ceived premiums  at  the  Hillsboro  County  Fair,  N.  H.,  and  at  the 
N.  H.  State  Fair,  at  Manchester.  In  the  Fall  of  1854,  he  re- 
ceived the  first  premium  at  Dubuque  County  Fair,  in  Iowa.  Is  a 
fine  horse,  and  much  resembles  his  sire. 

ROMEO  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1851.  Sired  by  Esty  horse.  Grand  sire,  Black 
Flawk,  g g sire,  Sherman,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  of 
Esty  horse,  sired  by  Old  Romeo.  Dam  of  Romeo,  a Messenger 
mare  ; purchased  in  Maine. 

Romeo  is  161  hands  high,  weight  965  lbs.,  color  dark  roan. 
Good-proportioned,  and  very  fast.  He  received  the  first  premium 
of  $200  at  the  United  States’  Fair  at  Boston,  in  1855,  as  the 
fastest  trotting  stallion  of  his  class.  Of  easy  and  graceful  action, 
and  a very  fine  horse.  Now  owned  by  Benjamin  Thurston,  of 
Lowell,  Mass.,  the  former  owner  of  Black  Hawk. 

REVENGE 

Was  foaled  in  Claremont,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Justin  Morgan.  For 
further  particulars,  see  Chapter  YII. 

RAVEN 

Was  foaled  May  31st,  1848  ; the  property  of  Robbins  Battell,  of 
Norfolk,  Conn.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Took  the  first  premium  in  his  class,  at  the  State 
Fair  in  Conn.,  in  the  fall  of  1855.  He  is  a very  fine  horse. 


PEDIGREES. 


309 


RISING  SUN 

Was  foaled  in  1850  ; the  property  of  G.  Y.  Cook,  of  New 
Haven,  Yt.  Is  a dark  chestnut,  with  a small  white  spot  in  the 
forehead,  and  one  white  hind  foot. 

Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  said  to  have  both  Morgan  and  Messenger  blood.  He  is  15| 
hands  high,  and  weighs  a little  less  than  1,100  lbs.  Limbs  are 
large,  muscular  and  well  shaped,  and  the  whole  animal  well  pro- 
portioned, possessing  abundance  of  life  and  vital  energy.  He  is  a 
fine  horse.  He  received  the  first  premium  at  the  Addison 
County  Fair,  in  1854.  In  the  autumn  of  1855,  Mr.  Cook  took 
him  to  Winchester,  Scott  County,  Illinois 

ROWEL  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1844  ; the  property  of  Moses  G.  Rowel,  of  Tun- 
bridge, Yt.  Sired  by  Hebard  horse.  Dam  by  Old  Morrill,  g dam 
by  Woodbury.  Bright  chestnut,  and  weighs  about  1100 lbs.  Isa 
good  horse. 

ROYAL  MORGAN 

Mas  foaled  in  1821  ; the  property  of  Mr.  Aldrich,  of  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  known 
as  Aldrich  mare,  and  sired  by  Justin  Morgan.  She  was  a dark  bay 
of  remarkably  compact  form,  with  great  powers  of  endurance.  She 
produced  and  nursed  a colt  the  summer  after  she  was  29  years  old. 
He  is  13 J hands  high,  and  when  in  his  prime,  and  in  high  con- 
dition, weighed  l,0001bs.  It  is  said  that  in  July,  1844,  he  weighed 
l,0201bs.  He  is  a dark  bay,  with  black  legs,  mane  and  tail,  and  a 
small  star  in  the  forehead.  It  has  been  said  that  he  was  not  sired 
by  Sherman,  but  by  the  Batchelder  horse.  We  have  taken  some 
pains  to  satisfy  ourselves  on  this  point,  and  have  stated  his  pedi- 
gree according  to  our  convictions.  The  facts  seem  to  be  that  the 
dam  of  Royal  Morgan  was  coupled  with  the  Batchelder  horse, 
early  in  the  spring  of  1820  ; but  the  following  July,  the  mare  not 
proving  in  foal,  Mr.  Aldrich  sent  her  to  Sherman,  and  the  following 
year  paid  for  the  services  of  the  latter  horse. 

Mr.  Aldrich  sold  him,  when  a colt,  and  he  was  taken  to  Maine, 
where  he  was  known  as  Morgan  Rattler,  In  1829,  he  was  taken 


810 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


to  Derby,  Yt.  * A few  years  after  this,  he  became  the  j)roperty  of 
Mr.  Crane,  who  owned  him  several  years,  and  became  much 
attached  to  the  horse.  A short  time  previous  to  his  death,  Mr. 
Crane  directed  that  the  horse  should  be  carved  on  his  tomb-stone, 
which  we  believe  has  been  done. 

Throughout  the  southern  part  of  Yermont,  the  horse  is  known 
as  the  Crane  horse ; about  Derby,  as  the  Steele  horse,  and  in 
some  places  as  the  Chamberlain  Colt.  The  administrators  of 
Crane’s  estate  sold  the  horse  to  Solomon  Steele,  Esq.,  of  Derby 
Line,  Yt.  In  1847,  Mr.  Steele,  having  a good  offer  for  him,  was 
about  selling  him,  when  Portus  Baxter  and  Doctor  L.  Richmond, 
of  Derby,  organized  a stock  company,  of  which  Mr.  Steele  was 
President,  and  the  horse  was  kept  by  him.  Three  or  four  years 
since  he  was  purchased  by  William  Baxter,  Esq.,  of  Barton,  Yt., 
by  whom  he  is  now  owned.  We  saw  him  in  February  last ; he 
was  turned  loose  into  a yard  with  several  young  colts,  and  although 
35  years  old,  he  seemed  to  trot  as  readily  and  easily  as  any  of 
them,  exhibiting  much  of  that  elasticity  and  nervousness  of  step 
which  characterized  him  when  in  his  prime. 

His  head  is  not  very  fine ; ears  only  medium ; eyes  beautiful  ; 
neck,  crest,  withers,  shoulders  and  chest,  excellent ; back,  loins  and 
hips,  good,  and  limbs  unsurpassed  ; mane  and  tail  thick  and  long, 
and  a little  long  hair  about  the  limbs.  His  stock  average  larger 
than  himself,  and  are  very  numerous  in  all  the  northern  portion 
of  the  State.  They  are  hardy,  enduring  ; almost  invariably  good 
tempered  ; and  free,  pleasant  drivers. 

SHERMAN  MORGAN  1st 

Was  foaled  in  1835,  the  property  of  Moses  Cook,  of  Campton, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  The  pedigree 
of  the  dam  not  fully  established,  but  conceded  to  have  been  a very 
fine  animal,  and  said  to  be  from  the  Justin  Morgan.  Sherman 
Morgan  is  15  hands  high,  weighs  about  1,050  lbs.,  is  dark  chestnut, 
and  very  much  resembles  his  sire  Sherman,  but  heavier,  stockier, 
and  not  as  much  action.  A fine  horse,  and  is  now  kept  in  the  stable 
at  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  where  the  Sherman  died.  He  is  owned  by 
A.  J.  Congdon. 


PEDIGREES. 


811 


SHERMAN  KING 

Was  sired  by  Slierman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan,  color  dark  bay,  with 
a small  star  in  his  forehead,  very  compact,  breast-bone  very  promi- 
nent, head  high,  and  very  fine ; full  of  spirit  and  courage,  and  excel- 
lent action. 

STOCKBRIDGE  CHIEF 

Was  foaled  in  1843.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Sir  Charles.  16  hands  high, 
weight  1,200  lbs,  color  chestnut.  At  the  State  Fair  at  Providence, 
R.  I.,  he  trotted  a mile  in  2.44.  Is  a well  proportioned,  strong, 
going  horse.  Is  now  owned  by  P.  W.  Bishop,  Chatham  Four- 
Corners  N.  Y. 


SHERMAN  BLACK  HAWK 
Was  foaled  in  1845,  the  property  of  B.  J.  Myrick,  of  Bridport,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan, 
Dam  by  Young  Hamiltonian,  owned  by  Allen  Smith,  Esq.,  of 
Addison,  Yt.,  and  bred  by  Judge  Larabee,  of  Shoreham,  Yt. 
Dam  of  Young  Hamiltonian,  by  Leonidas,  g dam  by  Bellfounder, 
g dam  of  Sherman  Black  Hawk  by  Imported  Matchem.  15  J 
hands  high,  weighs  1,080  lbs.,  color  jet  black,  with  small  star  in  his 
forehead.  He  has  trotted  a mile  in  less  than  2.40.  Is  a compact, 
well-made,  excellent  tempered  horse,  and  moves  in  fine  style.  Is  very 
spirited,  but  perfectly  tractable. 

SHERMAN  MORGAN  DEFIANCE 
Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  James  Morse,  of  Haverhill, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Boston  Tiger,  g sire,  Cock  of  the  Rock,  g g sire, 
Sherman,  ggg  sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Woodbury.  This 
horse  is  16  hands  high,  weight  1,150  lbs.,  color  black  chestnut, 
fine  action  and  style.  When  one  year  old,  he  was  purchased  by 
C.  C.  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Corinth,  Yt.,  who  now  owns  him. 

SIR  CHARLES 

Was  foaled  June  29th,  1852,  the  property  of  H.  W.  Bailey,  of 
Newbury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Coos  Morgan.  Dam  by  Morrill  Mor- 


312 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


gau,  g dam  by  Morgan  Eagle.  Height  15  hands,  weight  975  lbs., 
color  blood-bay,  easy  gaited,  with  fine  style  and  action,  heavy  set 
of  limbs,  pleasant  temper,  and  good  horse. 

SHERMAN  MORGAN  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1845.  Sired  by  Sherman  Morgan  1st.,  g sire,  Sher- 
man, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Ham  sired  by  Flint  horse.  14| 
hands  high,  weight  950  lbs.,  color  dark  chestnut.  Has  a fine  figure, 
easy  action,  gentle  and  spirited.  Now  owned  by  H.  E.  Lucy,  of 
Waterbury,  Yi,  and  kept  by  him  for  a driving  horse. 

SCOTT  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1840,  the  property  of  J.  L.  Scott,  of  Newport,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Scott  horse  is  a dark  bay,  16  hands  high,  weight  little  less  than 
1,200  lbs.,  a compact  well-made  horse.  He  is  now  owned  by  Col. 
Thomas  Kent,  of  Orford,  N.  H. 

SHIRTLIFF  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1847,  the  property  of  Moses  Copp,  of  Stanstead, 
C.  E.  Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  a bay  about  16  hands  high,  and  weighed  about 
1,000  lbs.  Shirtliff  horse  is  a dark  bay,  15  hands  high,  and  weighs 
1,000  lbs.  Has  good  style,  is  active  and  lively.  He  is  now  owned 
in  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

STRANGER 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Mr.  E.  Slater,  of  Essex,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Flying  Morgan,  g sire,  Hackett  horse,  g g sire,  Gifford, 
g g g sire,  Y/oodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  a large 
fine  animal,  said  to  be  a Morgan,  was  a bay  15 J hands  high,  and 
weighed  1,100  lbs.  Stranger  is  a dark  chestnut,  14^  hands  high, 
weight  900  lbs.  He  is  compact  and  muscular,  very  playful  and 
active.  In  February,  1855,  he  trotted  at  Hillsborough,  N.  Y., 
with  several  horses,  for  a purse,  making  time  in  2.58,  and  beating 
all  horses  of  his  age,  though  beaten  by  a six  years’  old.  Stranger 


PEDIGREES. 


313 


is  a fine  horse,  and  gives  promise  of  being  fast.  Sold,  in  Febru- 
ary, 1855,  to  Dr.  H.  Renson,  of  Hinesburgh,  who  now  owns  him. 

STEVENS  HORSE 

Was  bred  in  Piermont,  N.  H.,  by  Moses  Lamed.  Sired  by  One 
Eye,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Bay  color,  weight 
975  lbs.  Was  taken  to  Rhode  Island.  A fast  horse.  He  was 
advertised  as  raised  by  Jesse  Johnson  & Brothers,  but  he  was  not. 

SELIM 

Was  foaled  June  2, 1844,  the  property  of  J.  Gibson,  West  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Romeo.  Selim  is  15 J hands  high, 
and  weighs  a little  under  1,100  lbs.  His  body  is  dark  roan,  with 
black  legs,  mane,  and  tail.  He  is  a good  horse,  and  his  stock  prove 
good.  He  is  now  owned  by  Jeremiah  Gibson,  at  West  Cambridge, 
Mass. 

SMITH  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1850,  the  property  of  John  Robinson,  of  An- 
trim, N.  H.  Sired  by  Flint  horse,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  a fine  mare,  owned  by  John  Robinson,  of  Antrim, 
N.  H.,  known  as  the  Robinson  mare.  This  horse  is  light  chestnut 
color,  16 J hands  high,  form  good,  limbs  heavy,  and  weighs  1,310 
lbs.  He  is  a showy,  handsome  traveller.  His  stock  prove  good. 

SAWYER  HORSE. 

(see  young  BURBANK  ;) 

(or  MORGAN  TRAVELLER.) 

SEARCHER 

Was  foaled  in  1847,  the  property  of  Samuel  Moore,  of  Shoreham, 
Vt.  Was  sired  by  Barney  Henry.  Dam  sired  by  Gifford,  and  noted 
for  her  speed  and  endurance.  Searcher  is  a dark  bay,  with  black 
legs,  mane,  and  tail,  and  no  white  hairs  ; is  nearly  17  hands  high 
and  weighs  over  1,200.  When  four  years  old,  he  received  the  first 
premium,  in  his  class,  at  the  Addison  County  Agricultural  Fair. 
He  has  a beautiful  coat,  a bold,  fearless  style  of  movement,  and  ex- 
14 


314 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


cellent  action  for  a horse  of  his  size.  In  the  autumn  of  1851,  he 
trotted  a mile,  at  Middlebury,  in  less  than  three  minutes,  although 
untrained.  He  is  a very  fine  horse,  and  is  now  owned  by  Minor 
Andrews,  Esq.,  of  Franklin  Mills,  Portage  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
is  acquiring  an  excellent  reputation. 

TWIN  MOEGAN 

Was  foaled  in  1840  or  ’41 ; the  property  of  Dix  Whitney,  of  Brook- 
field, Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a large 
coarse  brown  mare,  deficient  in  constitution.  Twin  Morgan  weighs 
950  lbs. ; head  a little  low,  color  brown ; a very  fair  horse.  Went 
to  N.  H. 


TAYLOE  HOESE 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  James  Taylor,  of  Bolton,  0.  E. 
Sired  by  Eoyal  Morgan,  g sire  Sherman,  g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  a bay,  about  16  hands  high  ; weighed  about  1,100  lbs  ; de- 
scended from  Le  Boo.  Taylor  is  a blood  bay,  14  hands  high,  and 
weighs  about  1,000  lbs. ; style  and  action  good. 

When  two  years  old,  Mr.  Taylor  sold  him  to  E.  Bowker,  Esq., 
of  Mansonville,  C.  E.,  who  now  owns  him. 

TECUMSEH 

Was  foaled  25th  May,  1851  ; the  property  of  H.  F.  GriflBth,  of 
Tunbridge,  Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire  Sherman,  g g sire 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Young  Bulrush  1st,  g dam  by  Morgan 
Eagle,  g g dam  by  Ainsworth  horse,  g g g dam  by  J ustin  Morgan. 
Tecumseh  is  a dark  mahogany  bay,  14^  hands  high,  and  weighs 
975  lbs.  Eeceived  the  first  premium  in  the  class  of  ^‘Morgan 
Crosses,”  when  entered  as  three  year’s  old  at  Yt.  State  Fair,  at 
Montpelier.  He  is  now  owned  by  H.  F.  Griffith,  of  Tunbridge, 
Yt.,  and  is  a horse  of  very  fine  action  and  style. 

TUENEE’S  BLACK  HAWK 
Was  foaled  June  2 2d,  1848  ; the  property  of  S.  T.  Turner,  Ox 
Lewis,  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire  Sherman, 
g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 

Dam  was  a beautiful  bay,  weighed  about  1,050  lbs.,  and  was  bred 


PEDIGREES. 


315 


by  Payne  Turner,  Esq.,  of  Essex  Co.,  N.  Y.  Turner’s  Black 
Hawk  is  a mahogany  bay,  15j  hands  high  ; weighs  1,100  lbs. ; haa 
good  action  and  fine  style.  He  is  now  in  Ypsilanti,  Michigan. 

YEKMONT  MORGAN  CHAMPION 
Was  foaled  about  1826  ; the  property  of  Mr.  Woodruff,  of  Jeffer- 
son, N.  H.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire  Justin  Morgan.  He  was  15 
hands  high,  and  weighed  1,160  lbs. ; color,  black  ; a horse  of  great 
action,  and  a capital  roadster.  Could  trot  a mile  in  3 minutes. 
High  carriage  and  smooth  light  movement.  He  was  afterwards 
owned  by  Judwine  & Houghton,  of  Hardwick,  Yt.,  and  sold  by 
them  to  jNlr.  Lansing,  of  Lansingburgh,  N.  Y.  Was  purchased 
and  taken  to  Danville,  Yt.,  in  1845,  where  he  was  kept  till  he  died 
in  1846.  He  had  a fine  head,  and  slightly  Roman  nose.  His  stock 
command  a high  price,  and  many  are  fast. 

YERMONT 

Was  sired  by  Gifford,  g sire  Woodbury,  g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g dam  Phebe  ; owned  by  J.  L. 
Woods.  She  was  sired  by  a horse  known  in  Mass,  as  Tom  Mor- 
gan, and  noted  for  his  speed  and  bottom.  Tom  Morgan  was  by 
True  Briton.  Yermont  received  the  first  premium  in  his 
class  at  the  State  Fair  in  Brattleboro,  in  1854.  He  is  dark 
chestnut,  14  hands  high,  weighs  950  lbs.  A very  close,  compact 
made  horse.  Now  owned  by  Joseph  Peters,  of  Bradford,  Yt. 

YERMONT  2d 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Thomas  Randall,  of  Danville,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Morgan  Comet,  g sire  Sherman,  g g sire  Justin  Morgan* 
Dam  by  Sherman,  g dam  by  Justin  Morgan,  known  as  the  Wood- 
man mare.  Yermont  2d  weighs  925  lbs.,  is  144  hands  high,  and  of 
dark  chestnut  color.  Head,  eye  and  ear  beautiful ; throat  and 
jowls  very  fine.  Close,  compact  horse  ; spirited  and  active  ; stylo 
not  so  high  as  some.  Now  owned  by  Danford  Carpenter,  of  Wil- 
loughby, Lake  County,  Ohio,  and  is  a valuable  animal. 

YERMONT  CHAMPION 

Was  foaled  June  26th,  1844.  Sired  by  Yermont  Morgan  Champion, 


816 


THE  MOKGAN  HOESE. 


g sire  Shermao,  g g sire  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a thick-set  Dutch 
mare  ; weighed  about  1,100  lbs.  Vermont  Champion  is  black,  15 
hands  high,  and  weighs  975  lbs.  lie  is  a fine  traveler,  can  trot  a 
mile  in  3 minutes,  and  is  a very  last  walker.  Limbs  good  size,  flat, 
bony,  and  muscular.  Neck  long  and  thick  ; ears  short  and  lively ; 
he  has  a Roman  nose.  He  is  now  kept  in  Marshfield,  Yt.,  and  is 
owned  by  George  M.  and  Benjamin  Tov/n. 

VERMONTER 

Was  foaled  in  1849  ; the  property  of  Robbins  Battell,  of  Norfolk, 
Conn.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire  Sherman,  g g sire  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  an  English  mare.  Sold  to  William  Starr,  Esq.,  of 
Burlington,  Iowa.  He  is  a very  fine  horse,  and  we  understand  was 
sold  by  Mr.  Starr,  in  the  spring  of  1856,  for  $1,800. 

VERMONT  MORGAN. 

(see  WILEY  COLT.) 

VERxMONT  CHIEF 

Was  foaled  June  24th,  1848  ; the  property  of  Smith  F.  Kelley,  of 
Pittsford,  Vt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire  Sherman,  g g sire 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  sired  by  a Messenger  horse  called  Majesty, 
g dam  by  Magnum  Bonum,  g g dam  by  imported  Yellow  Bird. 
Vermont  Chief  is  a dark  chestnut,  151  hands  high,  and  weighs 
1,075  lbs.  He  has  a good  figure  and  a good  style  of  movement. 
He  received  the  first  premium  in  his  class  when  three  years  old,  at 
the  Rutland  County  Agricultural  Fair,  and  the  second  premium  at 
the  Vermont  State  Fair,  in  1855.  He  is  now  owned  by  Elisha  S. 
Kelley,  Danby,  Du  Page  county,  Illinois. 

WOODBURY  2d 

Was  foaled  June  21st,  1847,  the  property  of  Luke  Havens,  Esq., 
of  New  Haven,  Vt.  Sired  by  the  Wheeler  horse,  g sire,  Hackett 
horse,  g g sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire,  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam,  a grey  of  medium  size,  sired  by  Hackett  horse, 
g dam  by  Woodbury.  Woodbury  2d  is  a beautifully  dappled  gray, 
14J  hands  high,  and  has  weighed  1,020  lbs.,  but  his  fair  average 


PEDIGREES. 


317 


weight  is  950  lbs.  His  neck  is  rather  longer  than  is  usual  in  the 
breed.  His  style  is  excellent,  and  he  is  a light,  easy-stepping  horse, 
full  of  vigor  and  action.  He  is  now  owned  by  Joshua  Scott,  Esq. 
Vergennes,  Yt. 

WHEELER  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1844,  the  property  of  Mr.  Mead,  of  Cornwall,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Hackett  horse,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g 
sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Gifford.  When  a suckling 
colt  he  was  sold  to  Col.  Nash,  of  New  Haven,  Yt.,  who  soon  after 
sold  him  to  Freeman  Wheeler,  of  New  Haven.  Wheeler  horse  is 
about  14  hands  high,  of  a dark  chestnut  color,  and  weighs  about 
950  lbs.  He  is  an  exceedingly  active,  hardy,  and  vigorous  horse. 
In  1854  Mr.  Wheeler  took  him  to  Wisconsin. 

WHITE  MOUNTAIN 

Was  foaled  in  1852,  the  property  of  S.  H.  Edgerly,  of  Manchester, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Green  Mountain  2d,  g sire,  Gifford,  g g sire, 
Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Brooks  horse, 
g dam  by  Cock  of  the  Rock.  Height,  15  hands;  weight,  975  lbs. ; 
color,  dark  chestnut.  Time,  2 min.  50  sec.  A very  pleasant-tem- 
pered  horse,  of  good  style,  and  a good  driver.  Still  owned  by  Mr. 
Edgerly. 

' WILEY  COLT 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  Mr.  Hutton,  of  Canton,  St. 
Lawrence  Co.,  N.  T.  Sired  by  Mountain  Eagle,  g sire,  Sherman, 
g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Barnum’s  Cock  of  the  Rock. 
Wiley  Colt  is  a fine  bay,  black  mane,  tail,  and  legs,  15  J hands  high, 
and  weighs  1,050  lbs.  When  a suckling  colt  Hutton  sold  him  to 
Mr.  Wiley,  of  Canton,  N.  Y.  In  August,  1853,  Mr.  Wiley  sold 
him  to  Hon.  Milo  Bennett,  Burlington,  Yt.,  who  sent  him  to  Yir- 
ginia,  and  kept  him  in  Augusta  County  till  the  autumn  of  1855, 
when  he  sold  him  to  a company  at  Greensburgh,  Penn.  He  was  a 
prime  horse,  and  his  stock  is  good. 

WELLINGTON  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  June,  1853,  the  property  of  Nathan  Stone,  of  New 
Ipswich,  N.  H.  Sired  by  Comet,  g sire,  Billy  Root,  g g sire,  Sher- 


818 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


man,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  This  horse  is  14  hands  high,  and 
weighs  900  lbs. ; color,  light  chestnut,  with  light  mane  and  tail. 
His  form  and  action  very  like  his  sire.  Comet.  He  is  now  owned 
by  Mr.  Oliver  Wellington,  Phillipstown,  Mass. 

WHITE  MOUNTAIN  MOEGAN 
Was  foaled  in  1834,  the  property  of  John  A.  Willard,  of  Lancaster, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Ham,  an 
English  blood  mare,  weighing  1,150  lbs.  White  Mountain  Morgan 
is  154  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,100  lbs. ; color,  dark  chestnut.  He 
has  been  kept  most  of  his  life  at  St.  Johnsbury  and  vicinity.  He 
is  a very  compact,  well-shaped  horse,  excellent  head  and  neck,  fine 
style  of  movement,  and  a good  traveler,  but  not  so  much  spirit  as 
some.  A very  hardy  and  enduring  horse.  His  stock  are  not  de- 
ficient in  spirit,  and  many  of  them  have  a great  deal  of  life,  and 
are  generally  excellent  animals.  He  is  now  owned  in  Townsend,  Yt. 

WILD-AIR 

Was  foaled  in  1850,  the  property  of  Lyman  Pease,  of  Bridport, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan. Dam,  a large,  powerful  mare,  sired  by  Harris’  Hamiltonian ; 
15|  hands  high ; weight,  1,100  lbs. ; black  color,  with  three  white 
feet,  and  a star  in  his  face.  Went  to  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1856. 
He  is  a fine  horse. 

WINDSOR  MORGAN 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Charles  W.  Barker,  of  Henniker,  N.  H. 
Sired  by  Burbank  horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Mor- 
gan ; 15  hands  high ; weight,  1,095  lbs. ; color,  dark  bay.  Went 
to  Wisconsin  when  very  old. 

WAY  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1849,  the  property  of  Joseph  Way,  of  Derby,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Royal  Morgan,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam,  sired  by  Woodbury.  Way  horse  is  a blood  bay,  14i  hands 
high,  and  weighs  975  lbs.  His  mane  and  foretop  are  very  heavy, 
the  former  nearly  three,  and  the  latter  nearly  two  feet  long.  Style 
and  action  good. 


PEDIGREES. 


319 


WOODBURY 

Was  foaled  in  1816.  Sired  by  Justin  Morgan.  For  further  par- 
ticulars, see  Chapter  Seven. 

WALKER  HORSE 

Was  foaled  in  1835,  the  property  of  Wm.  Walker,  of  Hartland,  Vt 
Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Tally  Ho. 
Walker  horse  is  16  hands  high,  and  weighs  about  1,300  lbs.  ; blood 
bay,  with  black  mane  and  tail ; strong,  compact,  and  muscular 
horse.  Style  and  action  good  for  one  of  his  size.  Still  owned  by 
Mr.  Walker. 

WHALEBONE, 

Formerly  known  as  the  Clark  horse,  was  foaled  about  the  year 
1827,  the  property  of  Mr.  Bradley,  of  Fryeburg,  Maine.  Was 
sired  by  Sherman,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan,  Chestnut  color,  15  hands 
high,  and  weighs  975  lbs.  He  was  the  sire  of  Whalebone,  who,  in 
double  harness,  with  Lantern,  trotted  a match  on  Long  Island,  in 
June,  1855,  against  Stella  and  Alice  Gray,  mile  heats,  beating 
them,  in  2 min.  42  sec. 

He  has  the  reputation  of  being  a fine  horse ; but  we  are  unable 
to  give  any  more  particulars  concerning  him.  He  is  now  owned  in 
Turner,  Maine. 

YOUNG  BURBANK  1st 

Was  foaled  in  1835,  the  property  of  David  Tucker,  of  Newbury. 
Yt.  Sired  by  Woodbury,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by 
Post-boy.  Sold,  when  sucking,  to  Joseph  Sawyer,  of  Newbury, 
who  kept  him  till  he  was  six  or  seven  years  old,  and  sold  him  to  Mr, 
Farrar,  of  Bucksfield,  Maine,  who,  we  think,  has  him  now.  Height 
14 J hands  ; weight,  nearly  1,100  lbs. ; color,  chestnut.  Good  style 
and  action,  and  a good  stock  horse. 

YOUNG  BULRUSH  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1835,  the  property  of  Ellis  Bliss,  of  Bradford,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  a good  mare  and 
fast  trotter,  brought  from  Maine. 

Young  Bulrush  2d  was  16  hands  high,  and  weighed  1,200  lbs. 


320 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 


Color,  bright  bay.  Style  not  so  good  and  built  not  so  compact  ar> 
some,  but  high-spirited  and  a good  roadster.  He  was  a fast  trotter, 
and  one  of  the  strongest-going  horses.  Went  South,  when  young. 

YOUNG  BULRUSH  3d 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  Evan  Collis,  who  kept  him 
during  his  life.  After  his  death  the  administrators  of  his  estate 
sold  him  to  Edwin  Collis,  in  1855.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Imported  Napoleon.  Height,  14^ 
hands;  weight,  975  lbs. ; color,  dapple  gray.  Yery  good  horse. 

YOUNG  BULRUSH  4th 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  Thomas  Worthin,  of  Thetford, 
Yt.  Sired  by  Bulrush,  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Cincin- 
nati Morgan.  Now  owned  in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  by  Mr.  Martin ; 
14i  hands  high ; weight,  950  lbs. ; color,  dapple  gray. 

YOUNG  AMERICA 

Y^'as  foaled  in  June,  1851.  Sired  by  Farmers’  Beauty,  g sire,  Gif- 
ford, g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam,  a black, 
by  Sherman.  Young  America  is  15  hands  high ; weighs  1,000 
lbs.,  and  is  a jet  black.  Good  style  and  action.  Is  now  owned  by 
John  S.  Carr^  of  Golfstown,  N.  H.  Time,  3.5. 

YOUNG  AMERICA  2d 

Was  foaled  June  17th,  1852,  the  property  of  J.  Ide,  of  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Billy  Root,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Green  Mountain  1st,  g dam  by 
Bailey  horse.  Height,  15  hands ; weight,  950  lbs. ; color,  dapple 
chestnut.  The  first  premium  on  Sherman  Morgans  of  this  class, 
was  awarded  to  him  at  the  State  Fair,  at  Montpelier,  1853.  Sym- 
metrical figure,  and  ve*ry  good  action. 

YOUNG  MORGAN  EMPIRE 
Was  foaled  July,  1852,  the  property  of  Jonas  Cutter,  of  Jefirey, 
N.  H.  Sired  by  Morgan  Empire,  g sire,  Green  Mountain  2d,  g g 
sire,  Gifford,  g g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g g sire  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  sired  by  Flying  Morgan. 


PEDIGREES. 


821 


YOUNG  MORGAN  ECLIPSE 
Was  foaled  in  1853,  the  property  of  Jesse  Johnson  & Brothers,  of 
Bradford,  Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Eclipse,  g sire,  Morgan  Caesar, 
g g sire,  Woodbury,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Young 
Morgan  Emperor,  g dam  by  Bulrush.  Took  the  first  premium  in 
his  class  at  the  Yermont  State  Fair,  in  1855. 

YOUNG  BURBANK  2d 

Was  foaled  in  1851,  the  property  of  Charles  W.  Barker,  of  Hills- 
borough Bridge,  N.  H.  Sired  by  the  Barker  horse,  g sire,  Wood- 
bury, g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  a son  of  Sherman. 
Dark  chestnut  color  ; weighs  975  lbs.  Still  owned  by  Mr.  Barker. 

YANKEE  BOY 

Was  foaled  3d  of  June,  1852,  the  property  of  H^'rvey  Yale,  of 
Middlebury,  Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Henry,  g sire  Barney  Henry. 
Dam  by  Hackett  horse  ; 15  hands  high  ; weight,  975  lbs. ; color, 
bay.  A very  pleasant-tempered  and  good-moving  horse.  In  1855 
Mr.  Yale  took  him  to  Franklin  Grove,  Lee  Co.,  Illinois,  where  he 
now  is. 

YOUNG  BLACK  HAWK 

Was  foaled  in  1843,  the  property  of  James  Smith,  of  Sharon,  N.  H. 
Sired  by  Black  Hawk,  g sire,  Sherman,  g g Justin  Morgan.  Dam, 
a deep  bay,  raised  in  Pennsylvania,  and  sired  by  the  trotting  horse 
Andrew  Jackson.  Young  Black  Hawk  is  a coal  black,  15  J hands 
high,  and  weighs  9^'5  lbs.  He  has  a good  figure  and  excellent 
spirit  and  action.  Time  2.50.  Is  now  owned  by  J.  E.  Maynard, 
Lowell,  Mass. 

YOUNG  MORGAN  EMPEROR 
Was  foaled  the  property  of  Mr.  Woods,  of  Haverhill,  N.  H. 
Sired  by  Emperor,  g sire.  Bulrush,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  by  North  Star.  He  is  a blood  bay,  14 J hands  high,  weighs 
1,025  pounds.  Is  a compact,  good  moving  and  excellent  horse. 
He  is  now  owned  by  Jonas  Cutter,  of  Jeffrey,  N.  H 

YOUNG  CJESAR 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Jesse  Johnson  & Brothers,  of  Brad- 
18^ 


822 


THE  MORGAN  HORSE, 


ford,  Yt.  Sired  by  Morgan  Caesar,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire, 
Justin  Morgan.  Dam  by  Morgan  Emperor.  He  was  15J  hands 
high,  weighed  1,075  lbs.  and  his  color  a dull  black.  He  was  a 
good  horse.  He  died  at  Guildhall,  Yt.,  in  1853,  the  property  of 
F.  W.  Smith. 

YOUNG  FLYING  MORGAN 
Was  foaled  in  1851.  Sired -by  North  Star,  g sire,  Morgan  Em- 
peror, g g sire.  Bulrush,  g g g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  a Mor- 
gan mare,  sired  by  Flying  Morgan.  Weight,  960  lbs. ; color,  bright 
bay.  Now  owned  by  Benj.  M.  Glines,  of  Byfield,  Mass.  Time,  2.45. 

YOUNG  HUBBARD 

Was  sired  by  Latham  Horse,  g sire,  Woodbury,  g g sire  Justin 
Morgan.  Dam  by  Gifford.  Weight,  1,025  lbs. ; color,  chestnut. 
Mr.  Hubbard  bought  him  of  Judge  Blodgett,  of  Chelsea,  Yt. 

YOUNG  LATHAM 

Was  foaled  the  property  of  Beyer  Latham,  of  Lyme,  N.  H.  Sired 
by  Latham  horse,  g sire  Woodbury,  g g sire,  Justin  Morgan. 
Dam  by  Post-boy : 15J  hands  high ; weight,  1,150  lbs. ; color, 
chestnut ; good  action,  and  a fine  stock  horse. 

YOUNG  MORRILL 

Was  foaled  in  1848,  the  property  of  Mr.  Smith,  of  Cabot,  Yt. 
Sired  by  Morrill  horse,  g sire,  Jeonison  Horse,  g g sire  One  Eye, 
g g g sire,  Bulrush,  g gg  g sire,  Justin  Morgan.  Dam  sired  by  Sher- 
man ; 16  hands  high ; weight,  1,160  lbs. ; color,  dark  brown.  Mr. 
Smith  sold  him,  when  three  years  old,  to  Mr.  Morrill,  and  Morrill  to 
Messrs.  Town  & Trowe,  Barre,  Yt.  He  received  the  first  premium 
at  Yermont  State  Fair,  at  Montpelier,  1853  ; also  the  first  premium 
among  Bulrush  Morgans,  at  Rutland,  1855.  Was  then  taken  to 
the  National  Exhibition  at  Boston,  Oct.,  1855,  and  entered  in  class 
for  general  use,  where  he  received  the  first  premium  of  $200* 
Time,  2.38.  A heavy,  close,  compact  and  enduring  horse. 

YOUNG  BULRUSH. 

(see  one  eye,  also,  allen  horse  ) 


APPENDIX 


The  following  pedigrees  of  stallions  of  some  note, 
althougli  not  Morgans,  are  given  because  they  have 
been  mentioned  in  the  preceding  chapter,  or  have  left 
a good  deal  of  valuable  stock,  and  their  blood  been 
more  or  less  mingled  with  that  of  some  horses  called 
Morgan. 

COCK  OF  THE  EOCK 

Was  foaled  in  1814,  and  bred  by  Nathaniel  Coles,  of  Long  Island. 
He  was  sired  by  Duroc,  g sire.  Imported  Diomed.  His  dam, 
Eomp,  was  full  sister  to  Miller’s  Damsel,  the  dam  of  American 
Eclipse,  and  was  sired  by  Messenger ; his  g dam,  the  imported 
PotSos,  mare,  bred  by  Lord  Grosvener,  sired  by  PotSos,  and  PotSos 
by  the  great  Eclipse  ; his  g dam,  by  Gimcrack,  his  g g dam,  by 
Cripple,  and  Cripple  by  the  Godolphin  Arabian.  Cock  of  the 
Kock  ran  several  successful  four  mile  races  against  good  horses, 
but  was  beaten  by  Betsey  Eichards,  on  Long  Island,  and  by  Sir 
Walter  at  Montreal.  About  1820,  he  was  purchased  by  Gen.  Bar- 
num,  of  Yergennes,  Yt.,  who  took  him  to  that  place  and  kept  him 
until  1828  or  ’29,  when  he  sold  him,  and  he  was  taken  to  Tennessee, 
where  he  died. 

SIE  WALTEE 

Was  sired  by  Hickory,  g sire,  imported  Whip,  g g sire,  Saltram,  g 
g g sire,  English  Eclipse,  dam,  Nettletop,  by  Diomed.  He  was  not 
kept  in  this  State,  but  in  Canada  near  the  line.  He  was  an  excel- 
lent four  mile  racer. 

QUICKSILYEE. 

The  Quicksilver  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  pages  is  not  the  Quick- 
silver of  the  Stud  Book,  first  called  Snap  and  sired  by  Medley,  but 

($28) 


324 


APPENDIX. 


is  another  horse  of  the  same  name,  bred  by  Gorham  Parsons,  of 
Walpole,  New  Hampshire,  and  sired  by  Dey  of  Algiers,  an  Arabian. 

CAESON  HOESE. 

This  horse  acquired  some  celebrity  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State, 
on  account  of  his  stock.  We  know  little  of  him,  except  that  he 
was  sired  by  Quicksilver. 

HENEY 

Was,  we  believe,  a thorough-bred  horse,  but  we  are  unable  to  give 
his  pedigree.  He  was  a fine  animal,  and  received  several  premiums 
in  New  York  and  elsewhere.  He  was  kept  near  Lake  Champlain 
until  about  1850.  He  left  some  good  stock. 

He  was  a beautiful  bay,  of  good  size  and  fine  action. 

YOUNG  HAMILTONIAN 

Was  bred  by  Judge  Larabee,  of  Shoreham,  Yt.,  sired  by  Bishop’s 
Hamiltonian,  and  he  by  imported  Messenger.  Dam,  by  Leonidas, 
g dam,  by  Bellfounder. 

Young  Hamiltonian  was  long  owned  by  Allen  Smith,  Esq.,  of 
Addison,  Yt.  He  was  a blood  bay,  about  15 J hands  high,  and  left 
some  good  stock.  We  are  unable  to  give  the  blood  of  the  dam  of 
Bishop’s  Hamiltonian. 

BAENEY  HENEY, 

Or  the  Hatch  Hill  Henry,  as  he  is  sometimes  called,  has  long  been 
owned  by  George  Barney,  of  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  and  is  now  over 
twenty  years  old. 

He  has  acquired  well  merited  fame  on  account  of  the  excellence 
of  his  stock,  which  usually  have  plenty  of  bone  and  muscle,  are 
hardy,  spirited  travellers  but  are  not  always  kind  and  gentle.  In 
his  advertisement,  Mr.  Barney  states  that  he  was  sired  by  Signal, 
out  of  a Messenger  mare.”  But  what  was  the  blood  of  Signal  we 
do  not  know.  It  has  often  been  said  that  Signal  was  a thorough- 
bred horse,  raised  by  L.  G.  Morris,  Esq.,  of  Fordham,  N.  Y.,  but 
Mr.  Morris  informs  us  that  he  never  raised  or  owned  such  a horse. 


APPENDIX. 


826 


Whatever  be  liis  pedigree,  he  has  proved  himself  a very  fine 
horse,  a.s  his  appearance  indicates. 

He  is  a dapple  bay,  16  hands  high  and  weighs  about  1150  lbs. 
He  is  now  owned  in  Hubbarton,  Yt. 


POST  BOY,  BY  GABKIEL, 

Was  foaled  in  1800,  the  property  of  Mordecai  Hall.  Sired  by 
Gabriel ; an  imported  horse  bred  by  the  Earl  of  Ossory,  and  sired 
by  Dorimont,  his  dam  by  Highflyer,  g dam,  by  Snap. 

Gabriel  was  brought  to  Maryland  in  1779,  and  lived  but  one 
year.  Post  Boy  was  purchased  by  Gen.  Kidgley,  who  trained  and 
ran  him  with  much  success,  beating  many  of  the  best  horses  of  his 
day,  among  them  Hamlintonian,  Miller’s  Damsel,  First  Consul,  Maria, 
and  Lavinia.  In  Oct.  1809,  in  a race  at  Washington,  with  Hick- 
ory, he  fell,  broke  his  leg,  and  soon  after  died.  He  was  never  kept 
for  stock,  and  we  believe,  left  no  descendants  ; and  we  give  his  pedi- 
gree and  this  description  of  him  because  he  has  been  confounded 
with  Post  Boy,  the  distinguished  son  of  Henry,  and  his  pedigree 
sometimes  given  when  the  latter  horse  is  meant. 

POST  BOY,  BY  HENRY, 

Was  foaled  in  1831,  sired  by  Henry,  dam.  Garland,  by  Duroc,  was 
a chestnut  horse,  of  much  note  and  a successful  racer.  He  was 
never  kept  in  this  State,  but  some  of  his  descendants  have  been. 
The  few  horses  we  have  seen  of  this  stock  were  light  limbed,  and 
light  bodied,  with  fine  heads,  and  light,  graceful  action ; but  not  re- 
markable for  hardiness  or  endurance. 

SIR  CHARLES 

Was  foaled  about  1815,  the  property  of  James  Cock,  of  Oyster 
Bay,  Long  Island.  Sired  by  Duroc,  g sire,  Diomed,  g g sire,  Flori- 
zel,  g g g sire.  King  Herod  ; dam,  by  Plato,  and  he  by  Messenger, 
g dam,  part  thorough-bred,  but  her  pedigree  is  not  known. 

When  six  years  old  he  was  purchased  by  David  Hill,  Esq.,  of 
Bridport,  Yt.,  and  kept  by  him  many  years. 


826 


APPENDIX. 


When  very  old,  Mr.  Hill’s  son  took  him  to  Madison  County,  N. 
Y.,  where  he  died.  He  was  a blood  bay,  with  black  legs,  mane 
and  tail,  and  15^  hands  high ; was  a bold-looking,  fine-moving 
horse,  and  left  some  good  stock. 

Some  of  the  descendants  of  the  celebrated  rivals,  Henry  and 
Eclipse,  being  scattered  throughout  all  the  Northern  States,  their 
pedigree  may  be  found  convenient  as  a matter  of  reference,  though 
we  do  not  know  of  any  immediate  descendants  of  these  horses  that 
have  been  owned  in  this  State. 

ECLIPSE 

Was  foaled  at  Dosoris,  Queens  County,  Long  Island,  on  the  25th 
of  May,  1814,  the  property  of  Gen.  Nathaniel  Coles.  Sired  by 
Duroc,  g sire,  Diomed,  g g sire,  Florizel,  g g g sire.  King  Herod  ; 
dam,  the  celebrated  Miller’s  Damsel,  by  imported  Messenger,  g 
dam,  the  English  PotSos  mare,  sired  by  English  Eclipse,  g g dam, 
by  Gimcrack.  When  five  years  old  he  vvas  purchased  by  Mr.  Yan 
Ranst,  who  was  his  entire  or  principal  owner,  during  the  whole  of 
his  racing  career. 

He  was  chestnut,  with  a star  in  his  forehead,  and  near  hind  foot 
white.  Was  15  J hands  high  and  a compact  heavy  limbed  horse. 

As  a racer  he  was  one  of  the  most  successful  that  ever  appeared 
on  the  turf  in  this  country,  beating  in  the  eight  races  which  he  ran 
some  of  the  most  celebrated  horses  of  his  time  ; Sea  Gull,  Little 
John,  Fearnought,  Lady  Lightfoot,  Flag  of  Truce,  Sir  Walter,  Sir 
Charles  and  Henry. 

HENRY 

Was  foaled  the  llth  of  June,  1819,  the  property  of  Lemuel  Long, 
near  Halifax,  North  Carolina.  Sired  by  Sir  Archy,  g sire,  Dio- 
med, g g sire,  Florizel,  g g g sire.  King  Herod ; dam  by  Diomed,  g 
dam,  by  Bell-air,  g g dam,  by  Pilgrim,  g g g dam,  Yaliant,  g g g g 
dam  by  Janus,  g g g g g datn,  by  Jolly  Roger,  who  was  imported 
into  Yirginia.  Jolly  Roger  was  sired  by  Roundhead,  a son  of  Fly- 
ing Childers. 

Henry  was  a chestnut,  with  small  star  in  the  forehead  and  one 
hind  foot  white,  his  mane  and  tail  was  about  two  shades  lighter 


PEDIGREES. 


327 


than  his  bod}^ ; fourteen  hands  three  and  a half  inches  high — was 
symmetrical,  compact,  pony-built  horse,  and  left  some  good  stock, 
of  which  the  most  noted  was  Post  Boy. 

Though  not  as  much  esteemed  as  a racer  or  breeder  as  some  of 
the  sons  of  Sir  Archy,  he  was  yet  a very  fine  horse,  and  gained  a 
lasting  reputation  by  his  contest  with  Eclipse,  in  which,  although 
beaten,  he  made  the  first  heat  of  four  miles  in  7m.  37s.,  which  was 
then  and  for  many  years  after,  the  quickest  time  on  record. 

WILD  AIK 

Was  foaled  in  1753,  and  was  imported  by  Mr.  DeLancey,  in  1763 
or  1764.  He  was  sired  by  Cade  the  best  son  of  the  Godolphin 
Arabian  ; his  dam  was  by  Steady,  a fleet  son  of  Flying  Childers, 
liis  g dam  was  by  Partner ; Partner  by  Jigg  and  Jigg  by  the 
Byerley  Turk. 

Wiidair  was  a horse  of  high  bl@od  and  great  "performance ; but 
he  was  beat  by  Mr.  Warren’s  Sportsman,  before  he  left  England. 
In  this  country  he  was  sire  to  Col.  Sims’  Wiidair  Sultana  and 
other  noted  racers.  He  was  taken  back  to  England  about  the 
year  1772.  His  stock  proved  excellent  and  were  long  in  high  re- 
pute. 


A 

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